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View Full Version : Wisdom Teeth Extraction - Can I Use A Straw?


kimjewkes
Oct 15, 2008, 12:39 PM
First thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this and help me out. I feel bad calling my dentist to ask such a simple question he probably told me the answer to when I was still not all the way there.

My two upper wisdom teeth were pulled 5 days ago in a simple extraction. Both had fully emerged and neither were impacted.

There was very little swelling and almost no pain, they are healing up really well. I was told not to use a straw because it could cause a dry socket.

Avoiding straws is such a pain in the butt! Can anyone tell me if it's safe to start drinking from a straw or if I should wait some more days?

Thanks,
Kim

this8384
Oct 15, 2008, 12:54 PM
I would definitely wait a while longer! You don't want to rush it and cause yourself anymore pain than you've already been through.

kimjewkes
Oct 15, 2008, 01:21 PM
I've been reading some places that 48-72 hours is good enough, but other places say 14 days!

Hah, it's frustrating. I don't know what to believe!

plonak
Oct 15, 2008, 01:54 PM
I got my wisdom teeth out a couple of years ago.. and I couldn't use straws for a week or so.. it's as long as your stitches are still in

I forgot that I couldn't use a straw and when I did it was excruciating!! Don't try it for a while!!

kimjewkes
Oct 15, 2008, 02:02 PM
Okay cool.

I've taken tiny sips with a straw over the past few days and have been fine (mostly just when taking vitamins or pills).

I just called and checked with my dentist and he said I am fine to drink with a straw after 3 days.

It probably depends on the extraction, but mine was VERY simple. I don't have any stitches or any problems.

Thanks for your replies!

twinkiedooter
Oct 16, 2008, 06:29 PM
If you don't have any stitches and you were able to take tiny sips and you were okay, I'd say you can do the straw thing with no problems. Just don't smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol as that will definitely delay your healing. I've had a lot of teeth pulled in my time and I never had any problems with straws from day one and I healed very quickly after I stopped smoking cigarettes.

Fr_Chuck
Oct 16, 2008, 06:35 PM
But what is so hard about not using a straw, I never use them

kimjewkes
Oct 17, 2008, 07:31 AM
But what is so hard about not using a straw, I never use them

Haha, I work in a warehouse with a lot of dust and crap, so when I bring a drink back, it's soooo good to be able to just leave the lid on and drink through the straw... instead of taking off the lid to drink every time.

It's been a week since I had my teeth pulled now and every since my dentist said I was okay to use a straw, I've been doing it no problem.

I don't really know how to tell when this is healed. It hasn't felt much different since the first day after I had them pulled.