You are here looking for the no BS answer to the question: When Should I Stop Using Gauze After Wisdom Teeth?
Like any other surgical procedure, wisdom teeth extraction can be painful and requires proper post-operative care.
Therefore, it’s paramount to strictly adhere to the doctor’s instructions to get rid of unnecessary pain, avoid complications of infections and, in sum, for faster recovery.
Immediately after the extraction process, your dentist will offer a gauze to bite down over the incision. The gauze helps control the bleeding.
Also, it helps to speed up the blood clotting process on the surgical site. It’s vital to apply steady firm pressure on the gauze for a specific duration by biting on it.
Still, using the gauze after the preferred period can adversely affect your healing process. The gauze can stick and dislodge a protective clot.
So, when should I stop using gauze after wisdom teeth extraction. Read on to garner insightful information that will help speed up your recovery process.
When Should I Stop Using Gauze After Wisdom Teeth?
To understand this question, let us first know what gauze does and why it is essential.
Gauze is a small wrapping of bandage and cotton placed on the hollow space generated after wisdom tooth extraction.
When a tooth is extracted, it is taken out directly from the roots, which causes the nerve cells and blood capillaries to break, which eventually causes bleeding.
As you can imagine, excessive bleeding can have detrimental effects to our well being and it’s paramount to follow the right procedure to stop the bleeding.
Unfortunately, due to the location of gums and teeth in an exclusive part of our body, it’s impractical to secure wounds and control the bleeding after wisdom teeth removal with typical bandages.
That’s where gauzes come into effect. Gauze consists of bandages and cotton that can feasibly fit in our mouths and stop the bleeding on affected areas.
The intention of putting gauze is not only to stop bleeding but also to help blood clotting. We will read in the next section why it is essential.
In most cases, bleeding after wisdom teeth extraction will stop within an hour or two after surgery, and a light oozing might persist for several hours.
During the initial 30-45 duration, it’s vital to keep biting on the gauze and replace it with a new piece of gauze if the bleeding persists. If the bleeding has stopped, remove and discard the gauze.
So for the concern of when should I stop using gauze after wisdom teeth extraction, it would be best to get rid of the first gauze after 45 minutes.
If you are still bleeding, place a new piece of gauze directly on the incision site for another 30 minutes to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding persists for a longer duration, consult your healthcare provider.
What Would Happen If You Put on The Gauze for More Than an Hour?
Gauze is meant to stop bleeding and helping in blood clotting. But if you put it on for more than 2 hours or more, it can adversely affect you and can cause complications in that area.
Because of the drying of the blood, the gauze may become trapped at the extraction site. Dry blood or a blood clot can act as adhesive, making it extremely difficult to remove the gauze. Furthermore, removing it can affect blood clotting, resulting in a dry socket.
What Can Cause A Dry Socket?
If you try to play with the gauze or keeping it between your teeth for an extended period, you may get a dry socket condition.
Dry socket occurs when blood clothing does not develop or is disrupted due to picking or teasing activities by your tongue or something else. It can also happen naturally.
Therefore, it is essential to follow doctors’ instructions and ask them when I should stop using gauze after wisdom teeth.
You must keep it for half to one hour only according to your bleeding. If your bleeding stops within 20 minutes, then take the gauze off immediately.
When to Consult A Doctor?
If you notice that your bleeding is not under control with gauze for a longer duration, it is time to contact your dentist.
Even if you experience sudden bleeding after 4-5 days of wisdom tooth removal, you should see your dentist. This could be an indicator of a Dry Socket, which should be treated very once.
Conclusion
Even though no return visit to the dentist or the surgeon is required after the surgery, but you must keep them up-to-date with the condition of your socket for at least seven days.
Now that you know when I should stop using gauze after wisdom teeth, take care of your mouth like a baby for a week. This is necessary for fast recovery.
Congratulations, after this, you are eligible to eat whatever you want without any pain!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gauze Prevent Dry Socket?
Yes, gauze helps in blot clotting, which stimulates the recovery process and prevents dry sockets.
When Should Bleeding Stop After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Bleeding should stop within 1-2 days of your wisdom teeth extraction. However, sometimes the slightest drops of blood can appear on the 3rd day as well. But it will eventually dry.
Is It Ok to Swallow Blood After Tooth Extraction?
Yes, it is entirely normal to swallow blood after or during tooth extraction, and it does not cause any harm.
What Happens If I Accidentally Spit After Wisdom teeth?
It would be best to avoid spitting after wisdom teeth extraction. Instead, use a tissue to wipe your mouth or swallow the saliva.
Also, you can consider gently rinsing water in your mouth and allowing it to drain into the sink passively. Spitting might dislodge a blood clot, causing bleeding and extreme pain due to dry sockets.
