Bleeding
Following surgery, the dentist places gauze (cotton) in your mouth. It is important to bite on the compress and keep good, constant pressure. You can change the compress after 30 minutes. If you are still bleeding, fold a compress in four and bite on it for another 20 minutes. Repeat until the bleeding stops. Resting will slow down blood circulation and promote coagulation.
If you have no more gauze, you can use a slightly wet tea bag.
After a dental surgery, it is normal to have slightly bloody saliva for the following 24 hours. However, if bleeding resumes, bite again on a cotton compress for 15 to 20 minutes. If after 4 hours of pressing firmly on the gauze pad you are still unable to control bleeding, call your dentist.
It is important not to brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, spit, drink from a bottle or straw, drink alcohol or smoke for the following 24 hours. In in the meantime, you can gently brush the treated region with a cotton swab (Q-Tips). It is also important to solely eat soft and warm or cold foods, (e.g.: Jell-o, ice cream, pudding, omelette etc.). Eating hot food could cause the bleeding to start again. Avoid intense physical activities since it activates blood circulation.
72 hours later, you can start to rinse your mouth with salted water (for a week), until your suture removal visit. It is important to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth 5 to 6 times a day.