When wired shut are you allowed to drink out of a straw

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#1 Post by **James0099** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:00 am

Just wondering, I wasn't allowed to when I had my wisedomteeth taken out, is it the same?

#2 Post by **Audra** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:46 am

Probably not. If you are wired shut, then you cannot open your mouth at all, making it difficult to get a straw between your teeth in order to suck through it.

Most people use syringes with tubing attached. You place the tubing into the back of your mouth, rather than between your teeth.

#3 Post by **geordie999** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:54 am

Sucking through a straw creates negative pressure in the mouth that can reopen incisions that were made during surgery. So even if you aren't wired shut they don't recommend using a straw until your stitches have fully dissolved.

#4 Post by **contender** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:03 pm

I had my jaw wired shut for about a month, and it's really no easy feat. I used straws like my life depended on it and as far as I'm concerned it did. You can't fit the straw through your teeth like you used to but you can put it up against your cheek. I'm not an ortho or a surgeon or anything like that so I would check with them first.

But seriously, I used straws like it was my job.

And another tip. Sugary drinks will leave residue on the backs on your teeth and you can't brush back there so use the syringe and mouthwash ASAP after surgery. I didn't start cleaning my mouth until like a week or something afterwards because I was in too much pain but all that sugar, etc really builds up and it'll drive you insane.

#5 Post by bb » Thu Jul 01, 2010 4:34 pm

my os said yes!

#6 Post by **revolutionary** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 7:21 pm

I used a straw from day two. I sucked my soup between my teeth; there was room because I didn't have orthodontics prior to surgery. Didn't seem to have any negative effects.