Preventing Post-Operative Bleeding After Extractions

Dentist Blog

Most routine dental extractions do not cause postoperative complications such as heavy bleeding; however, certain factors may raise your risk. Mild bleeding is normal after getting teeth pulled; however, if you experience heavy bleeding or bleeding that fails to resolve, you'll need to seek treatment at your family dentist services offices. Here are some ways you can lower your risk for postoperative bleeding after a dental extraction. 

Monitor Your Medications And Supplements

Before your oral surgery appointment, let your dentist know if you are taking aspirin, prescription anticoagulation medications, ibuprofen, or antihistamines. These medications can increase blood clotting time, which can cause prolonged bleeding after dental procedures.

In addition to medications, dietary supplements such as garlic, omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, turmeric, ginger, and ginseng can also cause heavy bleeding that may be difficult to control after oral surgery. To reduce your risk for bleeding after your dental extraction, stop taking these medications and supplements a week or so prior to your surgery.

If your physician advised you to take an aspirin every day, or if you take prescription anticoagulant medications to reduce your risk for a stroke or heart attack, do not stop taking them before your extraction unless the prescribing physician tells you to do so. Abruptly discontinuing your aspirin or anticoagulants can raise your risk for a blood clot or cardiovascular problems. 

Maintain The Clot

After your oral surgery, a protective blood clot will form over your extraction site. This protective clot helps promote healing and prevents bleeding. The clot needs to be preserved because if it becomes dislodged, post-extraction bleeding may occur.

To keep your protective clot in place, avoid swishing water around your mouth or drinking through a straw for a day or so after your surgery. You should also avoid smoking and sucking on lozenges or hard candies so that the sucking motion doesn't dislodge the clot. If the blood clot does break free, gently bite down on a piece of gauze to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding persists, see your family dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible.

To prevent postoperative bleeding after a tooth extraction, consider the above interventions and talk to your dentist about other steps you can take to lower your risk. Most cases of post-extraction bleeding are not serious. However, if oral hemorrhaging develops, you may lose large amounts of blood, and that can raise your risk for developing iron-deficiency anemia. Talk to a dentist, like Thomas Krull, DDS, PC, to learn more.

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3 January 2020

Mouth Rinses Are Not Just for Bad Breath

I have always brushed and flossed my teeth daily, but I still had the occasional cavity when I visited the dentist for a check-up. He told me it was normal to have a cavity on occasion and that I shouldn't let it stress me out too much. Well, I am not one to just accept any problem I am having, so I started looking into how to improve my oral hygiene even more. I had always thought mouthwash was just to improve your breath, but I found some that said they helped keep cavities away. I started using one every day before bed. I haven't had a cavity in two years now, and I think the mouth rinse is the reason! I created this blog to remind other people that even if they brush and floss regularly, they can always find ways to take even better care of their teeth.