A tooth extraction can be an unpleasant experience because discomfort occurs not just while the tooth is being extracted but even days after removal. One has to remember that an extraction is like a surgery and must be treated as such. You should talk to your dentist about the extraction, what to expect and what must be done after the extraction. The dentist would be in a position to advise you about post extraction dental care and may be able to prescribe medication for such purposes. One should remember that bleeding along with other problems like swelling and discomfort can be expected for up to 24 hours or more following this procedure. It is not just the bleeding that you would have to deal with, but also general healing. Do bear in mind that the care you take of yourself and of your dental hygiene would determine discomfort as well as overall healing. Healing of the bone, for instance, could take as long as 7 months or more.
One of the basic rules would be to avoid playing with or disturbing the wound in your mouth. It might be tempting to play with the area, especially since it feels strange and you are not comfortable with it. However, you must treat it like another wound on your body and give it time to heal without fiddling with it. This does not only mean keeping your fingers away from the extraction site but also keeping your tongue from prodding it. As far as bleeding goes, the dentist will give you specific instructions such as keeping the required pressure on the gauze pad where the tooth has been extracted. The timings for changing the gauze would be determined by your dentist after taking into account the amount of bleeding. If the bleeding is more than your dentist has determined, talk to him or her about the same and ask about alternatives such as tea bags. A moistened bag, folded in half after being wrapped in gauze might help if you bite on it. It is the tannic acid which helps in such a home remedy but you would need to report excessive bleeding to the dentists. Even simple actions like sneezing too hard or a routine action like blowing your nose could have dangerous consequences at this time. For this reason, it would be important to stem such problems as upper respiratory infections by means of adequate medication and home care.
answered by G M