Often right after oral surgery you will experience some level of bleeding. There are several ways to minimize the bleeding after oral surgery, including:
-Expect bleeding for the first hour or two after oral surgery. The dentist will use a gauze pad to minimize the bleeding while your blood clots. Leave the gauze pad in place for about an hour after leaving the dentist’s office. You should press firmly on the pad with your teeth but refrain from chewing on it.
-Even if the gauze pad gets soggy, keep in place for one hour after your oral surgery.
-Apply constant pressure to the area for another hour after you remove the gauze pad.
-Get some rest and keep your head raised to slow down the circulation of blood so you heal faster and stop bleeding more quickly.
-Continue to brush and floss your teeth but stay away from the wound and just use a little water.
-If you are bleeding a lot four or more hours after your oral surgery, contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately.
-After a full day has passed since your surgery, rinse your mouth out gently with warm water – your dentist may suggest adding a half teaspoon of salt. Rinse four or five times each day for the next three days.
To avoid aggravating the wound and causing additional bleeding:
-Don’t rinse your mouth out during the first 24 hours after oral surgery;
-Don’t chew or suck on the gauze;
-Don’t drive or operative machinery if you are taking painkillers;
-Don’t strain yourself for at least two days after your oral surgery;
-Don’t drink or eat hot liquids, such as tea or soup, for a few days;
-Don’t have tobacco or alcohol for two weeks after oral surgery.
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