Wisdom tooth extraction is a common dental procedure often performed to address issues like impaction, overcrowding, or potential infection. Understanding the recovery process, particularly regarding bleeding, can help manage expectations. Bleeding is a normal part of healing, and knowing what to expect aids a smooth recovery.
Expected Bleeding After Extraction
After wisdom tooth removal, some bleeding is normal as the body begins healing. Initial active bleeding typically subsides within the first two to four hours after the procedure. During this period, you might notice bright red blood, but the flow should gradually diminish.
After the initial active bleeding phase, you may experience light oozing or pink-tinged saliva for up to 24 to 48 hours, and sometimes even for a few days. This prolonged discoloration is usually not a cause for concern, representing residual blood mixing with saliva rather than active bleeding. A stable blood clot, which appears dark red or purplish, forms in the socket to seal the extraction site, protect the underlying bone and nerves, and initiate tissue regeneration.
Managing Bleeding and Promoting Clotting
To manage bleeding and promote clotting, specific actions can be taken. Gently biting down on a clean, sterile gauze pad placed directly over the extraction site for 30 to 45 minutes applies pressure, which helps to compress the small blood vessels and promote clotting. If the bleeding continues, the gauze can be replaced with a fresh one, repeating the process until the bleeding slows significantly.
Applying a moistened black tea bag to the extraction site can also be beneficial if bleeding persists. Black tea contains tannins, natural compounds that possess astringent properties, helping to constrict blood vessels and encourage clot formation. It should be placed over the site and bitten down on for about 30 to 60 minutes. Avoiding vigorous rinsing, spitting, or drinking through a straw for at least 24 hours is also important, as these actions can create suction that dislodges the delicate blood clot. Refraining from strenuous physical activity and consuming hot liquids or foods for the first day helps prevent increased blood pressure and heat-induced clot dissolution.
When to Contact Your Dentist
While some bleeding is a normal part of recovery, certain signs indicate that you should contact your dentist. If you experience persistent, heavy bleeding that soaks multiple gauze pads within an hour for several consecutive hours, or if the bleeding seems to be a continuous, bright red flow, contact your dentist. Similarly, worsening pain that is not alleviated by prescribed pain medication, or the development of a fever, suggests a potential complication.
Increasing swelling after the first two to three days post-extraction, the presence of pus, or a foul taste or odor from the surgical site can signal an infection. Any difficulty swallowing, breathing, or numbness that lasts beyond the expected duration of the local anesthetic also requires prompt dental consultation.