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Can I Smoke After A Root Canal?

July 14, 2022

Root Canal

A root canal treatment has a 95% success rate of restoring the health of an infected tooth. However, a simple mistake like smoking can undo all the time and money spent repairing your tooth. Read this blog from Dawson Modern Dentistry to find out why smoking is not a good idea after a root canal and how to avoid it.

How Smoking Negatively Impacts Healing

There are several reasons why smoking after receiving a root canal is a bad idea. For one, smoking is generally unhealthy and can cause lung cancer. In terms of your oral health, it increases your likelihood of needing another root canal and developing gum disease. 

Smoking increases inflammation, which prolongs the healing process. While smoking negatively impacts oral health, you are especially vulnerable when recovering from an invasive procedure like a root canal. 

Because cigarettes and tobacco products contain toxic chemicals, this can cause complications with the tissues inside of your mouth and lead to infection. After spending money and investing time in treating your tooth with a root canal, this is the last thing you want. If the root canal procedure fails, you may be able to do retreatment, but you could need an extraction.

When Is It Safe To Smoke After A Root Canal?

Ultimately, we recommend that you quit smoking altogether, as the ADA approves no tobacco products on the market. They are deemed very detrimental to your oral and overall health. 

However, the first three days after the root canal procedure are crucial to your recovery. After the third day, you can return to normal activities, including smoking. During the first three days of your recovery, you should strictly follow aftercare instructions, like avoiding all suction forms, including drinking through straws or smoking.

How To Stop Smoking

Source: Ohio State Wexner Medical Center

We know it can be difficult to quit smoking cold turkey due to the addictive effects of nicotine. However, these tips can help you abstain from smoking for a few days when it is most crucial for your mouth’s healing:

  • Replace smoking with other activities like exercise, meditation, or yoga
  • Avoid triggers that make you want to smoke
  • Look for support from friends and family
  • Remind yourself why you’re quitting
  • Reward yourself with the money you’ve saved

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ROOT CANAL AFTERCARE? CONTACT US AT DAWSON MODERN DENTISTRY

It’s so important that you follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions after root canal treatment. If you don’t, the root canal could have been for nothing. Your tooth can become infected, which may result in the loss of the tooth, which will need to be replaced. Contact us at Dawson Modern Dentistry – Matthews today to schedule a root canal consultation with Dr. Ashley Dawson-Sutton.

A root canal treatment has a 95% success rate of restoring the health of an infected tooth. However, a simple mistake like smoking can undo all the time and money spent repairing your tooth. Read this blog from Dawson Modern Dentistry to find out why smoking is not a good idea after a root canal and how to avoid it.

How Smoking Negatively Impacts Healing

There are several reasons why smoking after receiving a root canal is a bad idea. For one, smoking is generally unhealthy and can cause lung cancer. In terms of your oral health, it increases your likelihood of needing another root canal and developing gum disease. 

Smoking increases inflammation, which prolongs the healing process. While smoking negatively impacts oral health, you are especially vulnerable when recovering from an invasive procedure like a root canal. 

Because cigarettes and tobacco products contain toxic chemicals, this can cause complications with the tissues inside of your mouth and lead to infection. After spending money and investing time in treating your tooth with a root canal, this is the last thing you want. If the root canal procedure fails, you may be able to do retreatment, but you could need an extraction.

When Is It Safe To Smoke After A Root Canal?

Ultimately, we recommend that you quit smoking altogether, as the ADA approves no tobacco products on the market. They are deemed very detrimental to your oral and overall health. 

However, the first three days after the root canal procedure are crucial to your recovery. After the third day, you can return to normal activities, including smoking. During the first three days of your recovery, you should strictly follow aftercare instructions, like avoiding all suction forms, including drinking through straws or smoking.

How To Stop Smoking

Source: Ohio State Wexner Medical Center

We know it can be difficult to quit smoking cold turkey due to the addictive effects of nicotine. However, these tips can help you abstain from smoking for a few days when it is most crucial for your mouth’s healing:

  • Replace smoking with other activities like exercise, meditation, or yoga
  • Avoid triggers that make you want to smoke
  • Look for support from friends and family
  • Remind yourself why you’re quitting
  • Reward yourself with the money you’ve saved

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ROOT CANAL AFTERCARE? CONTACT US AT DAWSON MODERN DENTISTRY

It’s so important that you follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions after root canal treatment. If you don’t, the root canal could have been for nothing. Your tooth can become infected, which may result in the loss of the tooth, which will need to be replaced. Contact us at Dawson Modern Dentistry – Matthews today to schedule a root canal consultation with Dr. Ashley Dawson-Sutton.