How to Stop Bleeding After Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction is a routine procedure recommended in suitable cases at a dental office. Most people don’t know about this, but tooth extractions can improve our overall health. Nevertheless, tooth extraction bleeding after 2 hours should be addressed, and one should be well aware of the consequences.

Moreover, removal of a tooth is usually done if the tooth in question has irreversibly decayed or damaged or if you need space to move teeth during orthodontic treatment. It would need some preparation from your end.

Reading this blog, you will learn how to stop bleeding after tooth extraction, along with the extraction details, before and after-care, and a few home remedies to manage the bleeding.

Normal vs Abnormal Bleeding

Before you learn the measures, it is important to know that there can be normal or abnormal circumstances when the bleeding starts. That said, there are two types of bleeding:

Normal Bleeding

• Bleeding after the procedure is normal and stops in a few hours.
• It is fresh blood, and in a few hours, it becomes more saliva and less blood.
• Oozing continues for 2-4 hours and stops eventually, although mild discomfort and swelling are normal during this phase.

Abnormal Bleeding

• Heavy bleeding after a few hours of extraction is not normal and would need attention.
• A sudden heavy flow of blood and persistent bleeding after some time might be abnormal.
• Extreme pain and discomfort after extraction are not normal and need to be checked.

How to Stop Tooth Bleeding After Extraction?

The dentist will inform you about instructions you should follow after the procedure and how to stop tooth bleeding after extraction. These are:

• Bite firmly on the sterile gauze piece placed by the dentist for 20 minutes. Do not speak or spit during that duration. 

• You should swallow the saliva collecting in the mouth immediately after extraction, as it might start drooling due to numbness in the mouth.

• You should not spit or rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after the procedure. Swallow gently; do not brush vigorously for a day.

• Have cold and soft food for the initial day. It might be the best time to indulge in your favorite ice cream—without nuts, of course!

• Apply an ice pack on the outside to relieve swelling and arrest the bleeding.

• You should rest and keep your head elevated to control bleeding.

• Start gently rinsing around the mouth with warm saline water after 24 hours.

• Avoid smoking and drinking for a few days after the extraction. 

• Stick to a soft diet for some days, including porridge, mashed vegetables, bread, etc., avoiding hot and spicy foods.

What Happens if Bleeding Does Not Stop After Tooth Extraction?

Here comes the role of the dentist, who only lets you go after ensuring the bleeding has been arrested. 

The dentist will check the wound after half an hour to determine the status of the wound. The bleeding almost diminishes after this time, and the patient is asked to leave.

In a few cases, bleeding does not stop in the operatory, and a dentist may have to suture the site.

So, for those who want to know, can I sleep if my tooth extraction is bleeding? The answer is that if your tooth is bleeding profusely after a few hours, you should consult a dentist to avoid excessive loss of blood. At the same time, the oozing of blood and the presence of blood in saliva for a day are normal. 

If bleeding does not stop, it can cause:

• Hematoma – It is a collection of blood vessels that causes localized swelling post-extraction. It would need immediate intervention. It is managed by applying firm pressure and doing regular cold compressions.

• Infection – An infection with swelling, inflammation, and pus formation may happen after the tooth is removed from the socket. It might be accompanied by a fever and would need antibiotic coverage.

• Blood loss – Excessive blood loss may occur if the bleeding is not timely controlled and may cause weakness, dizziness, and fatigue. Arresting the blood flow with an expert’s supervision might be deemed necessary.

To understand more about how bleeding stops, you would have to know the process of healing.

Why Does Excessive Bleeding Occur in a Few Cases?

While most patients do not go through any complications, a few cases may need more attention due to certain risk factors that predispose them to prolonged bleeding.

You should know about the following conditions and inform your doctor if you have any:

• Bleeding disorders – Patients with a history of bleeding disorders like hemophilia might be at a higher risk of prolonged bleeding.

• Medical conditions – If you suffer from a liver disease or a kidney disorder, chances are it will hamper the clotting factors, making excessive bleeding an issue.

• Medicines – A few medicines like anticoagulants, most commonly aspirin, advised in most cardiac patients, can interfere with the clotting process.

• Older years – An aged patient above 60 years might experience clotting delay.

• Poor oral hygiene – Little do we realize, regular brushing can save you from excessive bleeding. Poor oral hygiene or gum disease can impact the clotting duration. So, you must maintain good oral health for the entire family.

• Trauma – It can happen due to rough handling or injury to any instrument. Disrupted sockets, or blood vessels, during the procedure, may hinder bleeding from arresting. 

• Complicated Surgeries – A procedure involving multiple extractions, or surgical extraction with bone removal, may cause excess bleeding. 

When Should You Seek Attention?

If you underwent a complicated extraction and how to stop bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction is your query, we are here to help you.

You should go visit a dentist if:

• Bleeding does not stop after 2 hours, and the flow remains the same.

• Blood coming out of the socket is still red after a few hours, suggesting fresh bleeding, and needs to be reported.

• If you have intolerable pain after extraction and does not seem to subside but only increases, it might point to a dry socket and should be checked by the dentist.

• If you notice large blood clots coming out of your mouth, it may indicate issues with clotting.

• If you have symptoms like weakness, dizziness, and fatigue.

• If you have a bad odor or taste in your mouth, it may indicate an infected wound site.

So, what happens if bleeding does not stop after tooth extraction? Well, it could cause complications, and you might end up losing excess blood. The right thing to do is not keep waiting and visit a dentist ASAP.

Home Remedies to Stop Bleeding After Tooth Extraction

You should consult your dentist if the bleeding does not stop after a few hours or if there are a few danger signs, which we will find in the next segment.

To stop bleeding at home after tooth extraction:

• Change the gauze piece, and keep a new sterilized piece at the extraction site, and bite on it for half an hour.

• Apply a cold compress from the outside after every 15 minutes to constrict the blood supply and stop bleeding.

• Try biting on a damp tea bag as it contains tannins which aid in arresting the bleeding.

• Putting a few drops of honey can help in controlling bleeding. Honey due to its antiseptic properties has exhibited faster wound healing after minor extractions.

• Aloe vera gel can aid in healing by calming the surgical area.

• If you can get your hands on calendula tincture, it can control infection and bleeding.

How to Stop a Tooth From Bleeding in the Future?

By now, you know the immediate steps to follow; let’s discuss long-term care to promote healing. 

• Follow up – Being regular with your appointments is necessary to avoid any complications in the future. Go for your follow-up treatments to catch the infection or other mishaps early on.

• Oral hygiene – Maintaining a link between oral health and mental health should be your forever goal. So, you must brush twice daily using the proper technique. Also, regular flossing can keep your teeth healthy and help in faster healing.

• Healthy gums – You should visit your dentist at regular intervals and get required treatments like professional cleaning and scaling done. It will aid in keeping your gums healthy and assist in faster healing.

• Diet – Having a well-balanced diet with ample fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and lean meat will keep your overall health in check. Consume foods rich in Vitamin C as it helps in collagen formation and is responsible for tissue regeneration.

• Stay hydrated – Water intake plays a major role in overall well-being. Having 2-4 l water every day aids in saliva production which in turn keeps your mouth healthy and clean.

• Adequate sleep – Getting uninterrupted sleep for 8 hours every day helps in rejuvenation. Make sure you rest properly and heal faster.

• Coping stress – Stress can negatively influence the process of healing. Yes, it can slow down healing after an extraction as well. Practice stress-reducing exercises like yoga and meditation to manage stress.

• These factors will help you enhance your overall well-being which in turn can improve the chances of faster healing.

Bottom Line

Although tooth extraction is a common procedure, complications may arise in some. Everyone should know how long does bleeding last after tooth extraction and how to stop wisdom tooth bleeding. This article can surely act as a guide and provide the necessary information to deal with such situations.

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