Bleeding after an extraction

Call now. If the bleeding has not stopped after 20 minutes of pressure with gauze, a dentist needs to see the extraction site. Call us now, even at night or at the weekend: we will tell you when you can come in.

What to do now

1. Wipe, do not rinse. Gently spit out the blood that has collected and wipe with gauze. Do not rinse your mouth, so you do not dislodge the clot.
2. Bite on gauze. Fold a piece of sterile gauze, place it over the extraction site and bite down firmly for 20–30 minutes, without checking in between.
3. Sit still, head up. Sit down with your head raised and avoid any effort. At night, use an extra pillow.
4. Cold compress. Hold a cold compress on your cheek for 10 minutes, then take a break. Do not put ice directly on your skin.
5. Call if it does not stop. If it is bleeding just as much after 20–30 minutes of pressure, call us. You can call us even if the extraction was done elsewhere.

What not to do

• Do not rinse your mouth or spit often in the first 24 hours.
• Do not drink through a straw, smoke, or have hot drinks or alcohol.
• Do not touch the extraction site with your tongue, your finger or a toothpick.
• Do not take aspirin for the pain. If you take blood thinners or prescribed aspirin, do not stop them on your own: tell us on the phone.
• Do not change the gauze every few minutes to check; the pressure needs to be continuous.

When to come in

Call now if

• The bleeding has not stopped after 20 minutes of pressure.
• Large clots form and keep filling your mouth.
• The bleeding started again heavily after it had stopped.
• You take blood thinners and the bleeding does not stop with pressure.

It can wait for an appointment if

• Your saliva is only slightly pink in the first 24 hours.
• The bleeding stops when you bite on gauze.
• You have mild pain that eases with your usual painkiller.

Call 112 or go to a hospital A&E (UPU) if the bleeding is heavy and does not stop at all with pressure, if you feel dizzy, look very pale or feel faint, or if you find it hard to breathe or swallow.

What we do at the clinic

The dentist gently cleans the extraction site and looks for where the bleeding is coming from.

The bleeding can usually be stopped with properly applied pressure, a material that helps the clot form, or a few stitches if needed.

The dentist tells you what to do at home over the next few days and when you should come back.

What it costs

Prices are in Romanian lei. The consultation is from 150 lei, and the anaesthetic is included. If more than pressure is needed, the dentist tells you the price before starting. Outside opening hours the price may be higher; we tell you the amount on the phone, before you set off.

Consultation

from 150 lei (≈ 28 €)

The price covers everything: the anaesthetic is included, and you do not pay for the consultation if you have the treatment at the same visit. Outside opening hours the price may be higher; we tell you on the phone.

Questions