I got a tooth pulled last Friday. It is still bleeding, not bad but bleeding. I can’t brush my teeth without it bleeding. What’s going on? Thanks Tim
Tim – Slight bleeding after a tooth extraction is normal for the first day or two. There are some precautions that you should take to minimize bleeding. Some of them are listed below:
- Avoid strenuous activity or exercise for the first 24 hours after the extraction.
- Use an ice pack on the side of your face in the area of the extracted tooth.
- Eat soft foods.
- Avoid sucking through a straw. It can dislodge the blood clot.
- Don’t smoke. It can break down the blood clot.
- Gently rinse your mouth.
- Brush your teeth gently in the area of the extracted tooth. It can dislodge the blood clot.
If you have taken all of these precautions, but you are still experiencing problems, contact your dentist to schedule an appointment for him or her to examine your tooth. An examination will help your dentist determine why the extraction site is still bleeding.
This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Collins.