If you have a scheduled extraction to have your wisdom teeth removed, then it is best to make sure that the healing process goes as smoothly as possible. One of the more serious complications with the procedure involves bleeding. And, while bleeding can occur, there are some things you can do to help prevent this complication. Keep reading to learn what you can do to prevent this issue.
Speak Up About Other Bleeding Incidents
While wisdom tooth removal is considered an invasive and sometimes surgical procedure, you are unlikely to go through any sort of testing beforehand. For this reason, it is imperative that you provide your dentist with the most complete medical history that you can. This means answering all questions as thoroughly and correctly as possible. So, when your dentist asks you if you have had any bleeding difficulties in the past, you want to consider anytime that you may have had trouble stopping a bleeding wound. It is normal for cuts and small wounds to stop bleeding within about 30 seconds and larger ones should stop within about 30 minutes.
If you feel that your own bleeding takes longer than this, then you may need to have a blood test taken. The test will investigate your prothrombin time, which translates to the time it takes for your blood to clot. Also, your platelet counts may need to be examined to see if they are low.
In addition to informing your dentist about past bleeding events, you also want to speak up about any blood-thinning medications you take, including aspirin. If you take vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, or eat any blood-thinning foods, then provide this information as well. For example, dark leafy greens can thin the blood.
Follow Your Dentist's Instructions
It is not uncommon to feel relatively pain-free an hour or two after your procedure. This does not mean that you should immediately return to your normal activities. Anything that increases the heart rate should be avoided for at least a few days, since this can increase the heart's output and lead to bleeding.
In addition to resting, your dentist will give you other instructions on how to keep bleeding to a minimum. You should follow these instructions as close as possible. For example, you want to continue using your gauze on each extraction site until you see the oozing stop. Changing the gauze regularly, gently biting down, and folding pads to add enough bulk to the area are all things you should be doing.
Your dentist will likely have some instructions relating to diet and mouth care that can prevent bleeding as well.
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