Can smoking one cigarette cause dry socket?

Answer 1

Dry socket is caused by a bacterial infection, not by smoking. While smoking causes a number of problems, dry socket is not one of them.

I respectfully have to disagree with the answer above. Smoking can indeed cause dry socket. In fact, it is one of the biggest causes of dry socket. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot inside the empty tooth socket is dislodged and the bone is exposed. This, in turn, can lead to infection and LOTS of pain. The suction from when you pull and take a drag from the cigarette can dislodge the clot - just like sucking on a straw. The dentist I work for always tells her patients not to smoke or use a straw for AT LEAST 48 hours. Also, the smoke from the cigarette can irritate the empty socket and can increase the likelihood of infection and/or dry socket. Now you asked if smoking one cigarette can cause it - probably not, but be very careful as you take a drag. Minimal force/suction. Be sure to rinse your mouth immediately after smoking (Very gently..just slowly move your head from side to side to move the water around. If its 24hrs past the extraction you can use a salt water rinse - 1/2tsp salt dissolved in 1 cup warm, but not too warm, water). One person I know even took some damp gauze and placed it over (not packed into) the extraction site to keep it covered and "protected" from the irritation of the smoke. I hope this info is helpful to you! Best wishes for a quick recovery! (I just had a tooth pulled yesterday so I know what you are going through!)

Answer 2

It depends on how hard you hit the cigarette. If your sucking without putting any pressure inside your mouth you should be fine. Instead of sucking at all though, inhale just like you're breathing, except with the cigarette in your mouth. Thats how i avoided dry sockets.