Losing a tooth, whether a baby tooth or an adult tooth due to injury or other reasons, can be a surprising experience that often involves some bleeding. This article provides clear, immediate steps to manage bleeding effectively and offers guidance on what to do in the moments and days following tooth loss.
Controlling the Bleeding
Wash your hands. Locate a clean piece of gauze, a clean cloth, or even a damp, non-herbal tea bag, as black tea contains tannic acid that can promote clotting. Fold the material into a small, thick pad.
Place this folded gauze or cloth directly over the bleeding socket. Apply firm, continuous pressure by biting down on it for 15 to 20 minutes. Checking too frequently can disrupt the formation of a blood clot. Maintaining consistent pressure helps the clot form within the socket.
Keeping your head elevated above your heart can help reduce blood flow to the area, which further aids in controlling bleeding. You can achieve this by sitting upright or propping your head with extra pillows if you need to lie down. Gently spit out any accumulated blood or saliva rather than swallowing it, but avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting, as this can dislodge the forming clot.
If bleeding continues after the 15-20 minutes, remove the saturated gauze and replace it with a fresh, clean piece. Apply firm pressure again for another 15 to 20 minutes. Persistent, gentle pressure encourages the blood to clot and fill the empty socket, which is a necessary step in the healing process.
Aftercare and What’s Next
Avoid rinsing your mouth for the first 24 hours after tooth loss. After this initial period, you can gently rinse with a warm salt water solution, made by dissolving about a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, to help keep the area clean and promote healing.
Adjusting your diet to soft foods is advisable to prevent irritation or damage to the healing socket. Avoid hot, spicy, or crunchy foods, and try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help manage any discomfort.
Avoid disturbing the socket with your fingers or tongue. Additionally, refrain from using straws, as the suction created can dislodge the protective blood clot that has formed in the socket, potentially leading to a painful condition known as a dry socket. If the tooth that fell out was a permanent tooth, handle it only by its crown (the visible part) and avoid touching the root. If possible, place it in milk, saline solution, or even gently back into its socket, and seek immediate dental care for potential re-implantation.
When to See a Dentist
If bleeding from the socket does not stop after 30 to 45 minutes of continuous, firm pressure, it is important to contact a dentist or seek emergency care. Unmanageable pain that persists despite over-the-counter medication also warrants professional evaluation.
Signs of infection, such as increasing swelling, pus, fever, or spreading redness and warmth around the area, indicate a need for dental assessment. If a permanent tooth has been completely knocked out, immediate dental care is crucial, ideally within 30 minutes to an hour, for the best chance of successful re-implantation.