“What happens if bleeding doesn't stop after tooth extraction?”
I had a wisdom tooth extraction yesterday. It is still bleeding. Is it normal?
6 Answers
Some mild post operative bleeding is normal, especially if the extraction involved making an incision or removal of bone. You should have been provided with gauze to bite on after the procedure to help with the clotting. Bleeding after 24 hours is not normal. If you have been taking anticoagulants such as aspirin, that could prolong the clotting. Biting on a wet teabag wrapped in a gauze sponge or handkerchief can help to minimize the bleeding. If that doesn't work, you should report back to the treating dentist for an evaluation.
A little bit of bleeding or oozing may occur for a couple of days after a wisdom tooth extraction, especially if the tooth was difficult to remove. Heavy or constant bleeding would be more worrisome. If you are concerned, it is always wise to check back with the dentist who removed it for advice. He or she may want to see you to evaluate the area.
You should contact your dentist. A good trick to try is to take a regular tea bag, wet it, squeeze out the excess water and place over the extraction site and bite. Tea has tannic acid, which helps blood clots. Certain medications may make you bleed more, so you should contact your dentist.
Some bleeding is normal after a dental extraction. The amount depends on the size of the hole left behind, the condition of the gums around the extraction site, whether or not a coagulating agent and/or sutures were placed at the extraction site, the medical condition of the patient, your post extraction care (excessive rinsing will increase bleeding) and finally, the skill of the surgeon. You also need to differentiate between oozing and active bleeding. You will continue to see blood residue on a gauze for 18-24 hours after the extraction. This is oozing. Your mouth should not be filling with blood. That is bleeding. Placing ice near the extraction site and pressing on a wet tea bag at the extraction site, will both help control bleeding. If you cannot control the bleeding despite taking these steps, return to your dentist/oral surgeon or go to your local hospital emergency room for treatment.
If bleeding doesn’t stop, you must look for the underlying reasons. Stop taking aspirin for one. Place a 2x2 gauze and put pressure on the area for a few minutes. If it doesn’t help, contact your dentist.
It is abnormal if bleeding continues without clot formation, or lasts beyond 8 to 12 hours; this is known as post‐extraction bleeding (PEB). Such bleeding incidents can cause distress for patients, who might need emergency dental consultations and interventions.
There are several key steps to facilitating clot formation:
1. Apply firm (slightly uncomfortable) pressure with gauze. The gauze must be directly over/under the extraction site. Pressure should be applied for 15 minutes continuously. The gauze must be the proper size to apply pressure (not too small) while enabling the mouth to be closed most of the way so the jaw doesn’t get fatigued (not too big).
2. “Bleeding has stopped” doesn’t mean there is no more blood in the mouth or saliva. It is normal to have some blood in saliva for a few days after an extraction. The key is blood is not welling up or dripping and making it difficult to talk, eat, breathe. Often the gauze will be somewhat pink but not deeply red and saturated. If it is somewhat pink this indicates bleeding is well controlled.
3. Maintain the blood clot. Once a clot has formed it is important to not disrupt it. This is accomplished by avoiding vigorous rinsing, sucking through a straw, or spitting. If bleeding resumes you can apply pressure again and the clot will re-form.
4. Black tea bag. Dipping a black tea bag in cold water, rolling it in a gauze or paper towel, and applying it over an extraction socket can facilitate clot formation due to the tannin in tea.
5. If you run out of gauze you may use a paper towel cut to the appropriate size.
If after trying these things you are still concerned about post-extraction bleeding you should contact your doctor. If your doctor isn’t available or if you develop symptoms of lightheadedness, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, or other concerning symptoms, you should go to the Emergency Department.
This blog is meant to be a source of educational material on bleeding after a dental extraction. It is not intended to be clinical advice. Real clinical scenarios require doctor-patient discussion, exams, and assessment.
There are several key steps to facilitating clot formation:
1. Apply firm (slightly uncomfortable) pressure with gauze. The gauze must be directly over/under the extraction site. Pressure should be applied for 15 minutes continuously. The gauze must be the proper size to apply pressure (not too small) while enabling the mouth to be closed most of the way so the jaw doesn’t get fatigued (not too big).
2. “Bleeding has stopped” doesn’t mean there is no more blood in the mouth or saliva. It is normal to have some blood in saliva for a few days after an extraction. The key is blood is not welling up or dripping and making it difficult to talk, eat, breathe. Often the gauze will be somewhat pink but not deeply red and saturated. If it is somewhat pink this indicates bleeding is well controlled.
3. Maintain the blood clot. Once a clot has formed it is important to not disrupt it. This is accomplished by avoiding vigorous rinsing, sucking through a straw, or spitting. If bleeding resumes you can apply pressure again and the clot will re-form.
4. Black tea bag. Dipping a black tea bag in cold water, rolling it in a gauze or paper towel, and applying it over an extraction socket can facilitate clot formation due to the tannin in tea.
5. If you run out of gauze you may use a paper towel cut to the appropriate size.
If after trying these things you are still concerned about post-extraction bleeding you should contact your doctor. If your doctor isn’t available or if you develop symptoms of lightheadedness, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, or other concerning symptoms, you should go to the Emergency Department.
This blog is meant to be a source of educational material on bleeding after a dental extraction. It is not intended to be clinical advice. Real clinical scenarios require doctor-patient discussion, exams, and assessment.
