The American Association of Endodontists claims that more than 15 million root canals are done yearly in the United States. At the same time, a 2023 poll revealed that 20% of Americans now report smoking cannabis, which has significantly gone up from 2013. As a result, the cannabis market has also experienced rapid growth with new and emerging ways of consuming weed. A good example is the rising popularity of weed subscription services that offer everything from traditional to smokeless alternatives for those navigating through after-dental procedure care.
Yet, amid all these changes regarding cannabis legalization and oral hygiene, another very important topic of discussion comes up: is it possible to smoke weed following a root canal? Nowadays, we are living at the crossroads between oral care and cannabis consumption as shown by the above-mentioned data, which proves that there's a significant uptick in both cannabis use and dental procedures.
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Can I Smoke Weed After Tooth Extraction?
Many cannabis users often ponder whether or not they can smoke weed after having their teeth pulled out. The answer to this question is usually a NO although this may change with time. In the days following such an experience, smoking marijuana after tooth extraction has always been a source of worry for frequent users of weed because it could lead to complications and other issues. The reason behind this is:
- Dry Socket Risk: Smoking any substance, including cannabis, can increase the risk of developing a dry socket. This painful condition occurs when the blood clot that forms in the extraction site becomes dislodged or dissolves before the wound has healed.
- Delayed Healing: The act of smoking introduces toxins into the mouth that can interfere with the healing process. It can also reduce blood flow to the gums, which is crucial for proper healing.
- Infection Risk: Smoking can introduce bacteria into the extraction site, potentially leading to infection.
- Pain and Discomfort: The suction created when smoking can cause pain and discomfort at the extraction site.
Dentists and oral surgeons strongly advise against smoking for at least 72 hours after a tooth extraction, with many recommending abstaining for a full week or more. This advice applies to all forms of smoking, including cannabis.
However, it's paramount to note that for medical cannabis users, suddenly stopping use can lead to withdrawal symptoms or a return of the symptoms the cannabis was treating. In such cases, you should consult with both your dentist and the healthcare provider who recommended medical cannabis to develop a safe plan for managing your condition during the recovery period.
For those who rely on regular cannabis use, whether for medical or recreational purposes, alternatives to smoking should be considered during the healing period. This is where weed subscription box services like Greeen Box can be particularly helpful. Many of these monthly weed boxes include a variety of cannabis products beyond traditional flowers, such as tinctures, edibles, or topicals, which might be safer options during dental recovery.
Read more: Can The Dentist Tell If You Smoke Weed?
How Long After Tooth Extraction Can I Smoke Weed?
Apparently, there is no fixed duration of time one should wait before smoking weed after undergoing tooth extraction because of several factors, such as the level of intricacy during the process, the individual’s body health, and healing speed. Nonetheless, dental experts give some common recommendations:
- Minimum Wait Time: At the very least, wait 72 hours (3 days) before smoking anything, including cannabis.
- Ideal Wait Time: For optimal healing and to minimize risks, it's best to wait 7-10 days before resuming smoking.
- Extended Wait for Complex Extractions: If you've had a more complicated extraction, such as impacted wisdom teeth removal, your dentist might recommend waiting up to 2 weeks before smoking.
Here's a table summarizing the recommended wait times and alternative consumption methods:
|
Post-Extraction Period |
Smoking Recommendation |
Alternative Consumption Methods |
|
0-72 hours |
Strictly avoid smoking |
Edibles (if approved by the dentist), tinctures |
|
3-7 days |
Avoid smoking if possible |
Topicals, low-dose edibles |
|
7-14 days |
Gradual return to smoking |
Any method, but start slowly |
|
14+ days |
Normal consumption can usually resume |
All methods are typically safe |
Read more: Does Weed Stunt Your Growth?
Can You Smoke Weed After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Wisdom teeth removal is a more complex procedure than a standard tooth extraction, often involving the removal of impacted teeth and requiring a longer recovery period. As such, the advice regarding smoking weed after wisdom teeth removal is even more stringent:
- Increased Risk of Complications: The extraction sites from wisdom teeth removal are typically larger and more prone to complications like dry sockets.
- Longer Healing Time: Due to the nature of the surgery, wisdom teeth extraction sites often take longer to heal completely.
- Greater Potential for Infection: The back of the mouth, where wisdom teeth are located, can be more challenging to keep clean during recovery, increasing the risk of infection.
Given these factors, most oral surgeons recommend avoiding smoking for at least 7-10 days after wisdom teeth removal, with some suggesting waiting up to 2-3 weeks for complete healing.
For regular cannabis users, this extended period without smoking can be challenging. However, you must prioritize your oral health and healing during this time. Here are some strategies to manage:
- Explore Alternatives: Consider using cannabis-infused edibles, tinctures, or topicals in weed sub boxes for smokeless consumption.
- Communicate with Your Dentist: If you use cannabis for medical reasons, discuss this with your oral surgeon. They may be able to provide specific advice or alternative pain management strategies.
- Slow return: If you’re starting smoking again, take things slowly and watch out for your mouth’s feelings. As soon as you feel any pain or uneasiness in your mouth, go see your dentist right away.
- Mouth cleanliness: Take good care of your teeth while healing from the surgery using all post-operative guidelines accurately.
Even though one might have the burning longings to get back on their past cannabis trail, they should know that there are several dangers that come up when someone starts smoking again soon after having their wisdom tooth removed. Consequently, this makes things end up taking a longer time to heal than what was anticipated. In the end, being patient during this period of recovery helps in attaining good results.
Read more: What Happens If You Smoke Moldy Weed?
Can You Smoke Weed with Braces?
Though using marijuana while wearing braces does not correlate with the same immediate hazards as smoking after a teeth removal procedure, by all means, it’s still irrational for various reasons:
- Staining: Smoking can leave stains on teeth and braces, which could culminate in discolored teeth when braces are taken off.
- Oral Hygiene Challenges: Oral hygiene is already made challenging by braces, and smoking can make it worse by raising the risk of gum disease and plaque buildup.
- Dry Mouth: Using cannabis can lead to dry mouth, which doubles the risk of gum inflammation and tooth decay when worn in conjunction with braces.
- Orthodontic Concerns: Although it is less prevalent, smoking heat may have an impact on the adhesive used to connect braces.
Read more: How to Smoke a Weed Pipe?
How to Smoke Weed with Braces?
In case you opt for staying high even after having made adjustments to your dental structure, the following may prove useful:
- Strictly Follow Oral Hygiene: Make sure you clean your mouth and teeth thoroughly right after smoking cannabis. Use interdental brushes and water flossers for thorough cleaning around braces.
- Stay Hydrated: Combat dry mouth by drinking plenty of water and using sugar-free gum or lozenges to stimulate saliva production.
- Regular Dental Check-ups: Keep all your scheduled orthodontic appointments and be honest with your orthodontist about your cannabis use.
Read more: Does Weed Dehydrate You?
Smart Cannabis Choices After Dental Work
The world of cannabis use and dental procedures or braces is filled with complexities that often require temporary changes in consumption methods. For example, marijuana smoking is generally not advised among people who have had tooth extractions, root canals, or wisdom teeth removed, however, there are some other choices for people who use marijuana on medical or recreational grounds.
Keep in mind that individual bodies have their own unique healing processes. Therefore, what may be effective for one individual might not be appropriate for another. For this reason, always seek medical advice from your healthcare providers and also be forthright about your utilization of cannabis to obtain the most relevant advice given your particular circumstance.
Greeen Box is your solution for avoiding the struggle of moving from one dispensary to another or purchasing sub-par cannabis products. Our weed subscription boxes bring the cannabis aficionado’s dream directly to your doorstep. Every month we send a package containing top-quality strains, innovative accessories, and exquisite edibles, which will dramatically improve your sessions. Subscribing to our services is about getting into a lifestyle that is good for your teeth!
