Is tooth extraction bleeding normal? How long will it last, and is there anything you can do to speed up the healing process? When the tooth is removed, it is perfectly normal for the area to be irritated. And based on the size of the tooth, bleeding is something you will experience. 

But the process shouldn’t last for a long time. Here, we will talk briefly about tooth extraction, and you can click here and follow the link if you want to learn more. We will also cover everything you need to know about bleeding and whether it is something concerning. 

Why Do We Bleed After Tooth Extractions?

Tooth removal is always painful. After all, someone is pulling a piece of the jaw, and the soft tissue around the tooth will be affected too. Actually, gums will start bleeding as soon as the tooth is removed, and the patient might experience pain even after the anesthesia wears off. 

And it is a huge trauma for your jaw (and body). Of course, if we are talking about deciduous teeth, they don’t have big roots, and the area they cover is quite small. After a while, deciduous teeth will fall out on their own, and the bleeding will be almost non-existent. But permanent teeth have bigger and even multiple roots. The bigger the tooth, the more painful it will be, and the more time it will take for it to heal properly.

In some cases, the dentist will need to loosen up the tooth before extraction, and they will widen the socket. Gums are filled with blood, and cutting the area, pulling the tooth from the socket, and any other invasive action will result in a lot of blood. 

Is It Normal?

Yes, bleeding after tooth removal is perfectly normal. The extraction site will be irritated for a couple of days, and it mostly depends on the type of extraction that took place. Simple extractions should start healing after a couple of hours, and there shouldn’t be a lot of blood. The trickier extractions when tooth cracks or after surgery (wisdom tooth removal) will take longer to heal, and the dentist might use stitches to speed up the process. 

But if the bleeding continues after a couple of days, or if the patient notices excessive bleeding, it is not something that we consider normal. As soon as the tooth is removed, the body will start the healing process. And if everything goes according to plan, the bleeding should stop after a couple of hours. 

The period after eight to twelve hours is crucial, and if the bleeding continues after that, it is called PEB or post-extraction bleeding. Now, this doesn’t have to be a sign of a bigger problem, but it can be scary. The bleeding can be caused by medication, disease, or if the patient removes the blood clot by accident. 

One of the first things your dentist will tell you after the extraction is to avoid eating on that side of the mouth and to avoid cigarettes. Smoking will create a vacuum in the mouth, which can dislodge the clot causing it to start bleeding all over again. 

How to Stop Bleeding?

If you notice that your tooth socket still bleeds when you get home, you will probably wonder about your options and how to stop the bleeding after tooth extraction. The first thing you should do is avoid any contact with the extraction site. You shouldn’t eat on that side, smoke, or do anything that can cause bleeding again. The vacuum will also be created if you sip a drink using a straw, which is something you should avoid until your wound heals. 

One thing you can do is take a piece of gauze and place it on top of the socket to stop the bleeding. Bite on it to ensure it stays in the place, and keep the gauze there for thirty to sixty minutes. Another thing you can try out is black tea. One of the main ingredients of black tea is tannic acid, which can speed up the process of forming the clot. Since hot liquids are not recommended after the extraction, you can use the tea bag instead of the gauze. 

Naturally, you will still need to continue brushing and flossing, but try to avoid the affected area. Furthermore, don’t rinse as you normally would. Rinsing and spitting can move the cloth and restart the bleeding. 

And finally, use ice or anything cold. Many dentists will recommend ice cream as a way to speed up the process of healing, which is something you should consider. 

Is There a Reason for Concern?

Bleeding after the first couple of hours is expected, and there is nothing to worry about. But if the bleeding continues after the first 24 hours, you might want to call your dentist. There is a high chance that nothing is wrong, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Bleeding shouldn’t last for days, and you will be losing a lot of blood if that happens. 

The doctor might also prescribe something for pain, especially if we are talking about bigger extractions. Wisdom teeth can also lead to excessive bleeding, swelling, and pain. Having something that can numb the area will be more than welcome. 

You can always visit a general dentist, and they will be able to take a look to see how the healing process is going. And they will tell you if there is a reason to be worried. After a couple of days, the area should feel a bit better, and you’ll be able to brush your teeth normally. One week after the extraction, the tooth socket should be closed, and the swelling should disappear. 

The entire healing process should take between one and two weeks based on the tooth, and you should pay attention to any possible side effects that may happen along the way. These include fever, pain, numbness, swelling, and any other irregularity. Essentially, if the bleeding continues after the first twenty-four hours, call your dentist and see whether there is something you need to do.