Clinic for Implant & Orthodontic Dentistry 01903 821822

Dental Emergency Advice:

Bleeding following an extraction.

Usually after every extraction you expect some bleeding. The bleeding time and the amount of bleeding depends on many factors like the size of the extraction site and the type of extraction(simple extraction or more difficult extraction and/or surgical extraction) and if the patient has been taking any blood thinning drugs like Warfarin, Heparin and to some extent Ibuprofen and Aspirin (The new generation of blood thinning drugs, anticoagulant drugs, does not affect bleeding time significantly).

You can also decrease pain and swelling by applying an ice pack- 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off for the first six hours following the extraction. 

However, you should not have excessive bleeding . If you experience excessive bleeding then roll a tissue/gauze in the shape of a sausage  and then bite on it gently for 20 minutes. If you have sutures DO NOT do this as this can irritate the area more. Please contact the practice ASAP.                                                                                                                                  

Keep your head elevated on several pillows. Avoid strenuous exercise during the first 24 hours and keep the mouth from excessive movement. Physical activity may increase bleeding.                                   

If you want to take pain killers before the extraction it is better to take Paracetamol. Ibuprofen and Asprin can cause more bleeding after extraction. 

Do not play with your tongue at the extraction site. It is possible that the movement of the tongue at the extraction site could open the extraction area and/or sometimes might loosen up the suture. Keep your tongue away from the extraction site.