Bleeding After Tooth Extraction: What’s Normal and How to Handle It
Bleeding after a tooth extraction can feel worrisome, especially for first-time patients. Before you start to panic, you should know that some bleeding is completely normal and expected after any oral surgery. Typically, it is minor and resolves on its own.
Even excessive bleeding is often nothing to worry about—it can usually be managed effectively at home or with the help of your dentist.
In this article, you will learn the common causes of post-extraction bleeding, what’s considered normal, when it might go wrong, and some tips for managing it.
Even excessive bleeding is often nothing to worry about—it can usually be managed effectively at home or with the help of your dentist.
In this article, you will learn the common causes of post-extraction bleeding, what’s considered normal, when it might go wrong, and some tips for managing it.
In this article:
1. Minor Bleeding is Normal and Expected After Tooth Extraction
2. The Most Common Causes of Bleeding After Tooth Extraction
3. What to Do Immediately in Case of Bleeding
4. When to See Your Dentist
5. Prevent Further Bleeding
6. When to Worry About Excessive and Prolonged Bleeding
Minor Bleeding is Normal and Expected After Tooth Extraction
If this is your first time having a tooth extracted, seeing some bleeding might feel alarming. But don’t worry—bleeding is a completely normal part of the healing process, especially during the first 12 to 24 hours after the procedure. During this time, your body activates its natural mechanisms to promote clotting and stop the bleeding.It’s also common for blood to mix with saliva, which can make the bleeding seem more excessive than it actually is.
Before getting too concerned, give it at least a day and follow your dentist’s post-operative instructions closely. In most cases, the bleeding is temporary and will stop on its own.
The Most Common Causes of Bleeding After Tooth Extraction
One of the most common reasons for post-extraction bleeding is damage or dislodgement of the blood clot that forms in the socket immediately after the procedure. This jelly-like mass plays a crucial role in stopping the bleeding and kickstarting the healing process.The blood clot can become dislodged if you frequently touch the wound with your tongue or apply pressure to the socket by actions like sucking on the wound, drinking through a straw, smoking, rinsing your mouth forcefully, or even sneezing.
The first 48 hours are the most critical, as the blood clot is still fragile and easy to dislodge. By protecting it, you can reduce the risk of bleeding by up to 90%.
In some cases, bleeding isn’t caused by issues with the blood clot but by the wound itself. This can happen if there’s an infection in the surgical site, a remaining root fragment, or damage to the underlying bone. In these situations, the bleeding typically resolves once your dentist addresses the underlying issue. This may mean treating the underlying infection or removing the remaining root fragments.
What to Do Immediately in Case of Bleeding
Right after a tooth extraction, you’ll typically be instructed to bite down on a gauze pad for about 30 minutes. If bleeding reoccurs later, the simplest and most effective solution is to rinse your mouth gently with cold water, then place a clean, moist gauze pad over the site and bite down firmly for another 30 minutes. In most cases, this will stop the bleeding.How to Use a Gauze Pad Correctly
To stop the bleeding, don’t just bite down on the gauze pad. First, place it directly over the wound, then bite down firmly. This helps apply firm pressure to the socket (as shown in the image below).
If the bleeding continues, try rinsing again with cold water and biting on a wet tea bag instead of gauze. Tea contains tannins, a natural compound that can help promote blood clotting.
You can repeat these steps as long as the bleeding is manageable and not excessive. However, if the bleeding becomes uncontrollable or you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist for assistance.
When to See Your Dentist
Contact your dentist immediately if the bleeding is severe, doesn’t stop despite your best efforts, or becomes a cause for concern.Your dentist will assess the wound to identify the source of the bleeding. They may also take an X-ray to check for any underlying issues, such as an infection or a fragment of bone or root left in the socket.
Once the cause is removed and the socket is cleaned, your dentist has several methods to control the bleeding, including:
- Applying pressure to the wound with a clean gauze pad
- Filling the wound with a material designed to promote clotting
- Stitching the wound to secure the area
Prevent Further Bleeding
As with any post-surgery complication, the best way to manage bleeding is to prevent it from happening in the first place.The best way to prevent it is to follow your dentist’s instructions carefully, focusing on protecting the blood clot and minimizing discomfort.
Here are some essential tips:
- Avoid touching the wound with your tongue or fingers, especially during the first two to three days.
- Don't suck on the wound or create pressure in the socket by actions like drinking through a straw.
- Don't smoke, at least for the first week, as this can delay healing and increase the risk of bleeding.
- Don’t chew on the side where the extraction was performed.
- Steer clear of hard, hot, spicy, or crusty foods that could irritate the area.
- Keep clean gauze pads handy in case bleeding starts again.
When to Worry About Excessive and Prolonged Bleeding
You should be concerned if the bleeding doesn’t subside after the first day or if you notice an unusually large amount of blood coming from the wound. In such cases, it’s important to contact your dentist promptly for evaluation.Excessive and long-lasting bleeding is rare and typically occurs in individuals with coagulation disorders—conditions that affect the body’s ability to stop bleeding. Deficiencies in clotting factors or the use of medications that interfere with clotting can make it harder for the body to control bleeding.
If you've ever experienced prolonged bleeding, lasting more than a day, or if you have a family member with a bleeding disorder, this raises a red flag for such conditions. In this case, your dentist may suggest blood tests to find out what's going on and refer you to a hematologist if a bleeding disorder is suspected.