When wisdom teeth suddenly bleed, many people will panic. In fact, as long as the cause of the bleeding is understood and the correct treatment method is mastered, it can be effectively dealt with. Below, I will provide you with a detailed explanation of the relevant knowledge and treatment methods for bleeding wisdom teeth.
Common Causes of Bleeding from Wisdom Teeth
Pericoronitis of wisdom teeth
Pericoronitis of wisdom teeth is one of the common causes of bleeding from wisdom teeth. During the eruption of wisdom teeth, due to insufficient space, they often fail to fully emerge. As a result, some of the tooth crowns are covered by the gums, forming blind pockets. Food residues can easily get stuck in this blind bag, making it difficult to clean and causing a large number of bacteria to breed and lead to inflammation. Inflammation can cause the gums to become red, swollen and fragile, and they are prone to bleeding with even the slightest touch. For instance, if you accidentally brush around your wisdom teeth when brushing your teeth, or if your teeth rub against your gums when chewing food, it can all lead to bleeding.
Bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction
Tooth extraction is a common method for treating wisdom tooth problems, but the wound will bleed after tooth extraction. Under normal circumstances, after tooth extraction, the doctor will ask the patient to bite a cotton ball to apply pressure to stop the bleeding. After half an hour to an hour, the bleeding will gradually stop, and there may be a few blood streats in the saliva, which is a normal phenomenon. However, if the bleeding is not stopped by applying pressure in the correct way after tooth extraction, such as spitting out a cotton ball too early or rinsing the mouth forcefully, or if the patient has problems with their own blood coagulation function, it may lead to continuous bleeding. In addition, if one eats overly hot or hard food too early after tooth extraction, it may irritate the wound and cause rebleeding.
Oral trauma
The oral mucosa around wisdom teeth is relatively fragile and prone to trauma. For instance, accidentally biting into a hard object or using a toothpick improperly may damage the gums and mucous membranes around the wisdom teeth, causing bleeding. In addition, wearing ill-fitting dentures, braces and other oral appliances may also rub against the wisdom teeth area, causing bleeding.
Impact of systemic diseases
Some systemic diseases may also cause bleeding from wisdom teeth. For instance, in patients with thrombocytopenic purpura, the number of platelets in their bodies decreases, and their blood coagulation function declines, making them prone to gum bleeding, including around the wisdom teeth. Leukemia patients, due to abnormal hematopoietic function in the bone marrow and reduced platelet production, also have a tendency to bleed. Oral and gum bleeding is one of the common symptoms. In addition, long-term use of anticoagulant drugs, such as aspirin, can inhibit blood coagulation and increase the risk of bleeding.
Treatment Methods for Wisdom Tooth Bleeding Caused by Different Reasons
Bleeding caused by pericoronitis of wisdom teeth
Local cleaning: When pericoronitis of wisdom teeth causes bleeding, the first thing to do is to keep the mouth clean. You can rinse your mouth with warm salt water for about 30 seconds each time, 4 to 6 times a day. Warm salt water has certain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It can also wash away food residues and bacteria in the mouth, reduce irritation to the gums, and help stop bleeding.
Local application: After cleaning the mouth, you can apply iodine glycerin to the gums around the wisdom teeth. Iodine glycerin can have anti-inflammatory and astringent effects, promote the regression of gingival inflammation, and relieve bleeding symptoms. When applying, you can use a cotton swab to dip a small amount of iodine glycerin and gently apply it to the red, swollen and bleeding gum area.
Drug treatment: If there is significant bleeding and severe inflammation, in addition to local treatment, drug treatment should also be combined. Oral antibiotics such as metronidazole and amoxicillin can be taken to inhibit bacterial growth and control inflammation. If the pain is obvious, painkillers such as ibuprofen can also be taken. However, drug treatment must be carried out under the guidance of a doctor, strictly following the dosage and course of treatment prescribed by the doctor.
Seek medical attention promptly: If the bleeding does not stop after the above treatments, or if the gums become swollen and painful, or even if systemic symptoms such as fever occur, you should go to the hospital for treatment in a timely manner. The doctor will conduct further examinations and treatments. They may rinse the blind pocket around the wisdom tooth to thoroughly remove the pus and bacteria inside. In severe cases, incision and drainage may be necessary.
Bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction
Pressure hemostasis: If bleeding occurs after tooth extraction, the first step is to bite the cotton ball or gauze tightly again. Be sure to bite firmly with moderate force. Do not apply excessive force to cause damage to the wound, nor be too loose to achieve the hemostatic effect. Generally, if you bite tightly for another 30 to 60 minutes, the bleeding usually stops gradually. If cotton balls or gauze are not available, clean handkerchiefs or tissues can be used as substitutes, but it is important to keep them clean.
Cold compress for hemostasis: While applying pressure to stop the bleeding, a cold compress can be applied to the face on the side where the tooth was extracted. Apply an ice pack or a cold towel to your face for 15 to 20 minutes each time, with an interval of 1 to 2 hours. Cold compress can cause blood vessels to constrict, reduce bleeding, and also relieve swelling and pain.
Avoid irritating the wound: Do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth within 24 hours after tooth extraction to prevent an increase in negative pressure in the mouth, which may cause blood clots to fall off and lead to bleeding. Don’t lick the wound with your tongue either, and definitely don’t suck repeatedly. After 24 hours, you can start rinsing your mouth gently with warm salt water, but avoid straining your mouth.
Seek medical attention promptly: If the bleeding remains heavy and bright red after re-applying pressure to stop the bleeding and applying cold compresses, or if the bleeding stops and then resumes, go to the hospital immediately. The doctor will handle the situation according to the circumstances. They may place hemostatic drugs in the wound or re-suture the wound to stop the bleeding.
Bleeding caused by oral trauma
Clean the wound: If the wisdom tooth is bleeding due to oral trauma, first rinse the mouth with clean water or light salt water to clean up food debris and dirt around the wound to prevent infection.
Compression hemostasis: Use a clean cotton ball or gauze to press on the bleeding area and hold for 5 to 10 minutes. Generally, the bleeding from smaller wounds will gradually stop. If there are no cotton balls or gauze, you can also press directly with your fingers, but you need to wash your hands thoroughly first.
Apply medicine: After stopping the bleeding, you can apply an appropriate amount of Yunnan White Medicine powder to the wound. Yunnan Baiyao has the functions of hemostasis and anti-inflammation, which is helpful for wound healing. When applying, be gentle to avoid further damage to the wound.
Observe the wound: After treating the wound, closely observe its condition. If the wound continues to bleed, the pain intensifies, or symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pus appear, medical attention should be sought promptly.
Bleeding caused by systemic diseases
Seek medical attention promptly: If you suspect that the bleeding from your wisdom teeth is caused by a systemic disease, you must go to the hospital as soon as possible. The doctor will conduct a detailed examination, including blood tests, etc., to determine the cause of the disease.
Cooperation with treatment: After diagnosis, patients need to actively cooperate with doctors in treating systemic diseases. For instance, patients with thrombocytopenic purpura may need platelet increase therapy, and leukemia patients may require chemotherapy, etc. Meanwhile, doctors will adjust the treatment plan based on the specific condition of the patient to reduce the risk of bleeding.
Pay attention to oral care: During the treatment of systemic diseases, special attention should be paid to oral care. Keep your mouth clean and brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging your gums. You can use mild mouthwash and rinse your mouth several times a day to prevent oral infections.
Key Points for Wisdom Tooth Care after Bleeding
Dietary care
After wisdom teeth bleed, extra attention should be paid to diet. Avoid eating spicy and irritating foods, such as chili peppers, Sichuan pepper, ginger, etc. These foods can irritate the wound, aggravate pain and bleeding. Also, avoid eating food that is too hot or too hard. Food that is too hot can cause blood vessels to dilate and increase the risk of bleeding, while food that is too hard may damage the wound. It is recommended to choose light and easily digestible foods, such as rice porridge, noodles, egg custard, vegetable puree, etc. Eating more foods rich in vitamins and proteins, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meat, fish, etc., can help enhance the body’s resistance and promote wound healing.
Oral hygiene care
Maintaining oral hygiene is very important for preventing infection and promoting wound healing. After the bleeding from wisdom teeth stops, you can start brushing your teeth, but you should choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and use the correct brushing method, such as the bass brushing technique, to avoid damaging the wound. When brushing your teeth, be gentle and don’t apply excessive force. In addition to brushing teeth, it is also necessary to use dental floss or interdental brushes to remove food debris between teeth. If it’s not convenient to brush your teeth, you can use mouthwash, but mouthwash cannot completely replace brushing.
Rest and Exercise
After wisdom teeth bleed, it is important to rest well, ensure adequate sleep and avoid overwork. Excessive fatigue can reduce the body’s resistance and affect wound healing. At the same time, avoid strenuous exercise, as it may cause an increase in blood pressure and lead to rebleeding. You can do some light activities appropriately, such as taking a walk, but avoid keeping your head down or bending over for a long time to prevent congestion in the head.
Measures to Prevent Bleeding from Wisdom Teeth
Maintain good oral hygiene habits
Brush your teeth correctly in the morning and evening every day. Each brushing session should last no less than three minutes to ensure that every surface of your teeth is cleaned. Use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean food debris between your teeth and rinse your mouth promptly after meals. Regularly visit an oral hospital for teeth cleaning to remove dental plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth and the edges of the gums, and prevent oral diseases.
Regular oral check-ups
It is recommended to have a comprehensive oral examination every six months to one year. Through oral examinations, dentists can promptly detect the growth of wisdom teeth and assess whether there are any potential problems. If inflammation or other abnormalities are found in wisdom teeth, early intervention and treatment should be carried out to prevent the problem from worsening and causing bleeding and other situations.
Pay attention to diet and living habits
Have a balanced diet, consume more foods rich in vitamins and dietary fiber, and eat less sweet, spicy and stimulating foods. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid smoking, drink less alcohol, keep a regular schedule, exercise more and enhance your body’s resistance. If you are taking anticoagulant drugs, you should adjust the medication under the guidance of a doctor to avoid an increased risk of bleeding caused by the drugs.
Conclusion
Although bleeding from wisdom teeth is common, as long as we understand the causes and master the correct treatment methods and care measures, we can effectively deal with it. If you have any other questions about bleeding wisdom teeth or if the situation is serious, you must consult a professional dentist in time to ensure oral health.
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