How long after a tooth extraction can you drink alcohol?

There is actually no fixed time limit for when you can drink alcohol after tooth extraction, as it depends on various factors such as the complexity of the extraction, postoperative recovery, and individual differences. Generally, dentists recommend avoiding alcohol temporarily after tooth extraction because alcohol may irritate the wound, impair blood clotting, and increase the risk of bleeding and infection. Alcohol may also interact negatively with antibiotics or other medications that might be prescribed after the procedure.

Therefore, during the initial recovery period following tooth extraction, it's important to follow your dentist's advice and avoid drinking alcohol to promote proper wound healing and prevent infection. Typically, you should wait until the extraction site has mostly healed, there are no signs of inflammation or bleeding, and you are no longer taking related medications before considering moderate alcohol consumption.