In short: After an extraction, bite firmly on a clean gauze pad for 30–60 minutes to let a clot form. Avoid rinsing, spitting, smoking or straws for 24 hours, as these dislodge the clot. Some oozing is normal for a day. If heavy bleeding continues after a couple of hours of pressure, contact your dentist.
Some bleeding after a tooth extraction is completely normal, and it usually settles within a few hours. The key is to help a blood clot form and protect it. Here’s what to do:
- Bite on gauze. Place the clean gauze pad the dentist gave you over the socket and bite firmly for 30–60 minutes without keep-checking it. Replace with fresh gauze if needed. A moistened tea bag can work too — the tannins help clotting.
- Rest and keep your head up. Avoid exercise, bending and heavy lifting for the rest of the day; prop your head up when lying down.
- For the first 24 hours, do NOT: rinse or spit forcefully, drink through a straw, smoke, or drink alcohol — all of these can dislodge the clot and cause painful “dry socket.”
- Eat soft, cool foods and chew on the other side. Avoid very hot food and drink that day.
- From the next day, rinse gently with warm salt water a few times a day to keep it clean.
A little oozing (blood mixed with saliva) can look like more than it is and is normal for the first day.
Contact your dentist if bleeding is heavy and doesn’t slow after 1–2 hours of firm gauze pressure, if it restarts heavily, or if you have severe pain a few days later (a sign of dry socket).
If you’re worried about bleeding or pain after a removal, call us — we’re here to help and can arrange emergency dental care if needed.