Bleeding gums after a Tooth Extraction, dental implant or periodontal surgery can be very worrisome but it is to be expected after dental surgery. After undergoing a tooth extraction, it is important to follow the proper aftercare procedures for at least 24 hours after having your tooth pulled. If your tooth extraction won’t stop bleeding, to contact your dentist or dental surgeon if you have any questions or concerns. When blood mixes with saliva, it looks like blood… lots of blood. Here are a few tips on how to stop the bleeding on your own.
Ways to Stop Bleeding After a Dental Extraction, Dental Implants or Periodontal Surgery:
- Be careful of what you eat and drink –There are many food items or drinks that can negatively impact the tooth extraction, dental implant or any oral surgical site. One of the most common mistakes that we see patients make is drinking through a straw. Do not drink from a straw for several days following a tooth extraction or periodontal surgery as this can dislodge the blood clot.
Other things to avoid are hot beverages and carbonated beverages as these can dissolve the blood clot. It is important to stay away from crunchy or chewy foods as these may dislodge the blood clot. It is best to stick with soft foods such as warm (not hot) soups, applesauce, and smoothies following oral surgery.
- Keep your head elevated above your heart – Bleeding can be slowed if blood pressure is lowered by propping your head up in bed with some pillows. Keeping your head higher than your heart can lower blood pressure.
- Control the bleeding with gauze compress– This can be accomplished by dampening a piece of gauze with water and then rolling it up or folding it into a square. Next, place the gauze on top of the empty tooth socket or another procedure site. Then bite down on the gauze to apply firm pressure for about 45 minutes to an hour. If you do not have gauze on hand, a wet, folded paper towel can be used instead. Bleeding should be significantly slowed or stopped after 60 minutes of pressure.
- Minimize Activities that make it difficult: Avoid difficult work or strenuous exercise. You should avoid bending or lifting heavy objects altogether. You should try taking it easy for at least 1-2 days after the tooth extraction. When you are resting or sleeping, try to lie down so that your head is above your heart. This will lower your blood pressure and help control bleeding.
- Used a black tea bag– When using the tea bag method, it is important to make sure that the tea bag is wet and is black tea as black tea leaves have tannic acid which is a coagulant. This should help encourage the blood to clot more quickly.
Complications and When to Call your Dentist:
Serious complications after tooth extractions and oral surgeries are rare but call your dentist if you experience symptoms that concern you. Always call your dentist if you develop a fever post surgery, experience excessive bleeding or swelling or have uncontrollable pain.
We understand that patients do not look forward to oral surgery and want to heal up as quickly as possible. That should be any dental team’s goal too so if you have any questions about bleeding after getting dental implants, having your wisdom teeth removed, or any other periodontal surgery gives your dentist a call right away!
