Kate's Fear of TMJ

Having Wisdom Teeth Removed? Know How To Deal With Swelling And Bleeding

Has your dentist told you that you need to have your wisdom teeth removed? If so, you may be wondering what the possible complications are that can result from the procedure. It's likely you will have some issues with swelling and bleeding after the procedure, which is why you need to know how to deal with these two problems.

Bleeding

It's common to have some bleeding after your wisdom teeth are removed. While bleeding is typically light, you may encounter heavy bleeding afterward. You can try treating this problem by using salt water to rinse out your mouth then gently applying pressure to the area with gauze to stop the bleeding. The pressure is what slows the flow of blood to the surgical area, and helps a blood clot form in its place.

Make sure to change out the gauzes every 30 minutes until the area is no longer bleeding. If the bleeding doesn't seem to stop, there are some alternative treatment methods that you can use. Some people find that biting down on tea bags works well due to the tea's tannic acid, which help assist with creating a blood clot.

Once the bleeding stops, try keeping your head elevated to low the blood pressure around your mouth. You will also need to avoid any vigorous activities that can cause the blood clot to become dislodged, such as exercising, running, or doing anything that requires using a lot of strength.

Swelling

Another problem you may run into after the wisdom teeth are removed is swelling, which will be apparent in your face. While it may be alarming to see your face swollen, it's completely normal during those first couple days after the wisdom teeth are extracted.

You'll want to use ice packs to reduce swelling and can also try using a warm towel after to improve blood flow. The swelling should stay the same or go down, with there being a reason to be concerned if the swelling continues to grow after you've started the treatment. Much like with bleeding, you'll also want to elevate your head to reduce a chance of having high blood pressure.

If you encounter another problem after having your wisdom teeth extracted, make sure to contact a dentist at a clinic like Belgrade Dental Associates immediately. They can give you advice to follow over the phone or call you back into the office to see it in person. Ignoring swelling or bleeding could cause complications in the surgical site that require a follow-up appointment with your dentist to treat it.


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