Worried About Bruising After a Tooth Extraction? Here’s What You Should Know
After a tooth extraction, everyone’s body responds differently to the procedure. What one person experiences may not apply to another.
One of the most common concerns after surgery is skin discoloration, often referred to as bruising or, in medical terms, ecchymosis.
Many patients are caught off guard when they wake up the next morning, look in the mirror, and notice a dark spot or discoloration on their face or jaw. Naturally, this can lead to worry and anxiety.
However, once you understand why bruising happens, you’ll realize it’s not as bad as it looks.
One of the most common concerns after surgery is skin discoloration, often referred to as bruising or, in medical terms, ecchymosis.
Many patients are caught off guard when they wake up the next morning, look in the mirror, and notice a dark spot or discoloration on their face or jaw. Naturally, this can lead to worry and anxiety.
However, once you understand why bruising happens, you’ll realize it’s not as bad as it looks.
In this article:
1. Is Bruising Something Serious?
2. Who Gets Bruises After a Tooth Extraction?
3. When Does It Start, and How Long Does It Take to Heal?
4. How Does It Look?
5. Tips to Speed Up the Recovery Process
Is Bruising Something Serious?
Bruising after a tooth extraction is not dangerous and does not cause additional pain or increase the risk of infection. It’s simply a response to surgery when a blood vessel is cut or damaged.Normally, blood flows outward and stops on its own within the first 12 to 24 hours after the procedure. However, some blood can leak into the surrounding tissues beneath the skin. When this happens, bruises—dark spots or patches—may appear a few days later.
Bruising is most common inside the mouth, under the jaw, and sometimes even extending to the neck.
Its appearance varies from person to person. Some may notice only a small spot, while others develop a more diffuse discoloration that might look concerning but is completely harmless.
Who Gets Bruises After a Tooth Extraction?
Anyone can develop bruising after a tooth extraction, but some people are more prone to it—especially older adults. Here’s why:- As we age, blood vessels become weaker, making it easier for blood to leak into surrounding tissues.
- Older adults also have looser, less firm tissues, which offer little resistance, allowing blood to spread more easily.
Another group at higher risk includes individuals with clotting disorders, which affect the body’s ability to stop bleeding. When a blood vessel is cut or damaged, the blood may take longer to clot, giving it more time to seep into tissues and form a bruise.
Certain medications that interfere with blood clotting also increase the risk of bruising. These include:
- Warfarin
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
People with clotting deficiencies—whether due to a medical condition or medication—are also more likely to develop hematomas, a type of bruise where blood pools under the skin, creating a soft, lumpy feel. Like regular bruises, hematomas are not dangerous and will gradually fade as healing progresses.
When Does It Start, and How Long Does It Take to Heal?
Bruising usually appears between the 2nd and 4th day after surgery and typically fades within 7 to 10 days.However, the healing time varies from person to person. In some cases—especially in older adults—bruises may take longer to disappear, sometimes lasting a few weeks before fading completely.
That said, most people notice improvement by the end of the first week, as the bruise gradually lightens and heals.
How Does It Look?
Right after the procedure, you may not notice any discoloration since the pooled blood is still red.Within 1 to 2 days, as the blood's proteins break down, the bruise becomes more visible, turning bluish-purple or even black.
As your body gradually absorbs the leaked blood, the bruise will change colors. From dark purple to green, then yellow, before fading completely within a few days.
Tips to Speed Up the Recovery Process
The good news is that bruising heals on its own, you don’t have to do anything. So, the best thing you can do is be patient and let your body do its job.However, there are a few things you can do to support your body and help speed up the healing process.
For the First Two Days After Surgery:
- Keep your head elevated – Avoid lying flat when sleeping. Use extra pillows to keep your head raised, as this helps reduce pressure on the surgical site, minimizing both bleeding and swelling.
- Apply ice packs – As soon as swelling appears, place an ice pack on your face for 20 minutes every hour during the first 48 hours. Be careful not to exceed 20 minutes at a time to prevent skin irritation or burns.
- Don't touch the wound – Avoid using your tongue, fingers, or toothbrush on the extraction site. Doing so could dislodge the blood clot and cause bleeding.
After 48 Hours Until Full Recovery:
- Switch to warm compresses – After the first two days, ice is no longer effective for swelling. Instead, use warm, moist compresses on the swollen areas as often as you like or can tolerate.
- Rinse with warm salt water – Mix one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth three times a day after meals to keep the area clean and promote healing.
- Maintain oral hygiene – Brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush, being extra careful around the extraction site to avoid irritation or injury.