Having a tooth removed is often the first step toward improving your oral health, whether it’s due to severe decay, infection, or wisdom teeth that no longer have enough room to grow. After your procedure, your body immediately begins the healing process—and the choices you make during recovery can have a big impact on how smoothly it goes.

If you’re planning to celebrate after your appointment or unwind with a drink, you may want to hold off. Alcohol can interfere with healing and increase the risk of complications after a tooth extraction.