Bleeding after tooth extraction: What you need to know

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by BSCK II, Senior Doctor Doan Du Dat - General Internal Medicine Doctor - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine, Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.
And Master, Doctor Dang Tien Dat - Doctor of Odonto-Stomatology - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
After tooth extraction, bleeding gums is inevitable. Depending on the bleeding time, it can be assessed as normal. If the bleeding continues to be heavy in the first 24 hours after tooth extraction, you need to see a dentist for advice and treatment.

1. Wound healing process after tooth extraction

After tooth extraction, the extraction hole will form a blood clot to seal the wound, the main purpose is to stop bleeding.
Within the first 1-2 days, the blood clot will ooze pale yellow plasma, the red color of the clot can be seen and the yellow plasma oozes, so it is scary but this is a normal manifestation.
In the next 1-2 weeks, the blood clot will form a solid fibrous meshwork that will seal the extraction hole. At this point, there will be no more oozing of plasma or red blood clots. From this fibrous framework, connective tissue cells will come to form a new mucosal membrane, this layer is pale yellow, thin and mobile.
At this time, just forcefully remove the mucosa or forcefully, such as brushing teeth too hard, the wound will bleed and the healing process will be slowed down due to the need to create a new mucosal layer.
If the tooth extraction wound does not show signs of inflammation, redness, and pain, there is no need to worry.

2. Normal expression after tooth extraction

Pain: The patient will feel pain when the anesthetic wears off and it can last for about 3 days and then gradually decrease depending on the severity of the surgery. Patients are prescribed pain relievers that will help relieve much pain and do not cause significant side effects. However, if the pain persists for more than 3 days and gradually increases, there are cases where the pain is still there after 1 week, you need to see a doctor for examination and treatment. Bleeding: After biting the gauze about 30 minutes, the bleeding will stop. If there is little bleeding leading to pink saliva in the first 24 hours, it is not a cause for concern. If biting gauze but still bleeding, wet gauze or fresh blood fills the oral cavity is abnormal. Swelling: Common on the 2nd day and usually lasts about 3-5 days after tooth extraction. If after 3-5 days the swelling still does not decrease or increases, accompanied by a lot of pain, fever, it may be an infection, you need to see a doctor to find the cause and treat. Limit opening mouth after wisdom tooth extraction: Usually because the patient has swelling in the corner of the jaw after extraction, it stimulates the bite muscle to cause muscle contraction, muscle damage and hematoma in the injection area. This sign usually decreases and disappears after 2-3 days after tooth extraction. If jaw tightness lasts more than 1 week is abnormal, it is necessary to visit a doctor to determine the cause and treat. Numbness: The patient may experience numbness in the bottom half of the jaw after wisdom tooth extraction while still chewing. It is usually caused by the injection into the nerve during anesthesia or by the nerve being pinched by the alveolar bone fragment or by trauma to the nerve during the procedure, usually this sign will go away after a few weeks. . If after 6 months, the signs of numbness do not go away, you need to see a doctor for examination and treatment. After surgery, the patient needs to apply cold compress for the first 24 hours and rest and should avoid eating raw solid food, not sucking on the extracted tooth, not spitting much and forcefully; do not rinse in the first 6 hours after extraction to avoid the risk of re-bleeding; Do not chew gum or smoke, do not drink alcohol, do not apply heat in the first 24 hours.

3. The role of blood clots after tooth extraction

Helps stop bleeding: After tooth extraction, especially wisdom teeth, teeth with serious disease often appear bleeding. The blood clot that forms after extraction is the first layer that has the most effective hemostasis effect.
Promote wound healing: Blood clots help prevent food from falling into the socket, limiting the inflammatory process that damages the tooth extraction site.

4. Ways to protect blood clots after tooth extraction

Diet Should fast after tooth extraction for 2-4 hours because this is the time when the wound is stable and effectively stops bleeding after tooth extraction.
Should eat foods that are carefully processed in soft liquid form such as soups, porridge, stews. Use a combination of fruit juices and smoothies such as oranges, apples, strawberries, and watermelons to provide adequate vitamins and increase healing time. With the use of these foods, you do not have to chew or use your jaw too much to limit the process of dissolving blood clots at the site of the newly extracted tooth.
Avoid using tough, crunchy foods, fried foods, foods that are too hot or cold, and spicy foods. Avoid alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine..., raw food such as salad, shrimp paste...
Oral hygiene Improper oral hygiene can affect the wound healing process, causing clots blood clot at the extraction site.
Limit brushing or direct impact on the newly extracted tooth socket after 1-2 days. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid damaging the surrounding soft tissues. Perform mouthwash with extremely dilute salt water to protect blood clots
In addition to brushing, you should combine using dental floss and mouthwash to optimally remove bacteria and excess food in the oral cavity. Mouthwash used after tooth extraction must be extremely dilute salt water to ensure safety for the wound. Avoid using specialized mouthwashes and physiological saline because they can cause irritation and dissolve blood clots. Mouthwash should be gently rinsed to avoid strong effects on wound healing and complications such as prolonged bleeding.
If you find abnormal signs after tooth extraction such as pain, bleeding, or swelling, you need to see a dentist immediately.

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