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Dealing With Bleeding And Swelling After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

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Impacted wisdom teeth can cause you pain and difficulty chewing, not to mention that they can also adversely affect your oral health. If your dentist has recommended that you have your wisdom tooth extracted, don't fret! Proper post-operative care can help you recover from the surgery quickly and avoid complications. Read on for detailed instructions on how to cope with bleeding and swelling after wisdom tooth extraction. 

Bleeding

Slight bleeding is not uncommon after surgery as the wounded tissue heals. If you experience heavy bleeding, try to control it by rinsing your mouth gently with salty water to remove old clots and then placing a fresh gauze pad over the wound and biting on it firmly. The pressure on the gauze helps slow blood flow in the area, stimulating the formation of a clot that stops the bleeding.

Continue changing gauzes after every half an hour or so until the bleeding stops completely. If bleeding persists, try biting on a moistened teabag, as the tannic acid usually found in tea leaves can sometimes help form a clot. 

To prevent further bleeding, try to elevate your head on a few pillows so as to reduce blood pressure on the extraction site. You should also try avoiding strenuous activities such as walking excessively or using straws to let the healing process commence. Finally, avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously or talking too much, as this could dislodge clotting on the extraction site. If you experience excessive bleeding that won't subside with pressure, visit your dentist immediately. 

Swelling

Wisdom tooth extraction is an intrusive surgical procedure that could sometimes cause swelling in the areas around the mouth, sides of the face and cheeks. There should be no cause for alarm if you experience slight swelling in the few days following your surgery because there are steps you can take to reduce the inflammation. 

First, apply an ice pack on the side of the face where the tooth was extracted immediately after surgery and for the next day or so, as this can help prevent excessive swelling in the area. You should also sleep with your head elevated to help reduce blood pressure in the area.

If swelling does not subside in the next two days or so after surgery, consider using a towel soaked in warm water on the swollen area, as moist heat can also be effective at improving blood flow and massaging inflamed tissue. If you notice the swelling is getting worse instead of better in the days following your extraction, it may be advisable to give your dentist a call. 

For tooth extractions, contact a company such as Renovo Endodontic Studio


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