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Bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction

Bleeding after a wisdom tooth extraction is a common and natural occurrence. Follow these simple guidelines to help control postop bleeding and to know whether your level of bleeding is normal or a cause for concern.

Some bleeding is part of the healing process

A certain level of blood flow is required for your mouth to heal. Healthy blood flow brings oxygen to the wound site to produce collagen, repair capillaries and control infection. Blood flow also leads to the formation of the blood clot that will close the wound and help your soft tissues regenerate.

Bite down on gauze

Be sure to apply firm, consistent pressure to the gauze covering the extraction sites for the full time frame suggested by your oral surgeon. Removing the gauze frequently to check for blood or changing it out too often for fresh gauze, can prevent a clot from forming properly and lead to more bleeding.

It’s normal to experience a little bleeding for several days

Some patients do not experience any bleeding once the initial blood clot has formed, but it is completely normal to have slight additional bleeding at the extraction sites for several days following the procedure. Small amounts of blood can be disregarded and moderate bleeding can be treated by biting down on gauze, following the same instructions given to you on the day of your extraction.

A stitch has come out

Unlike stitches that need to be removed by a doctor in ten days, most oral stitches are designed to dissolve on their own and, in the case of extractions, are mostly there to assist in the initial blood clot formation. If you find that a stitch has come out but are not experiencing excessive bleeding, it is generally not a cause for concern.

Call if in doubt

If biting down on gauze does not control or slow the blood flow or if you are unsure about the severity of your bleeding, call your oral surgeon right away to seek guidance.