A common surgical procedure that many individuals face is the removal of wisdom teeth; bleeding, swelling and some discomfort are to be expected after the surgery as part of the natural healing process. In most cases, healing is quick and most people can resume their normal lives within a few days.
Surgery for the removal of wisdom teeth is recommended for every individual. This is due to the likelihood of the development of gum disease, infection and jaw pain from these large molars that erupt in the furthest reaches of the mouth. Extraction is easiest and recovery quickest when the surgery is performed in the early development of the molars, generally between the ages of 16 and 19. The procedure is conducted in the office of an oral surgeon, normally under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation.
During the surgery, an incision into the soft tissue of the gum will be made to allow extraction of the teeth. These soft tissues, called pulp, contain numerous small blood vessels that supply nutrients that are essential to the life and health of the teeth. Both during and after surgery, a certain amount of bleeding should be expected as these blood vessels are violated through the removal of the tooth. Once the surgery is finished, there is specific care required for a few days to help facilitate the healing process. Certain conditions, such as swelling, pain and bleeding are normal responses of the body as it deals with the trauma of the surgery. Pain medications are often prescribed to alleviate the discomfort, and swelling can be minimized by applying ice packs.
One after effect of the removal of wisdom teeth, bleeding, can be somewhat unpleasant for the individual. Active bleeding is typically controlled by the oral surgeon before the patient leaves the office, but some bleeding will continue for a few days following the procedure. The best method of controlling bleeding is by applying gauze padding directly on the surgical site and biting down firmly for a minimum of 30 minutes. This type of pressure contains the bleeding to the socket, where clot formation occurs as a natural reaction of the body. This formation is an important part of the healing process. In the days following surgery, a moistened tea bag can also be used on the site; the tannic acid present in tea helps in clot formation and can relieve swelling as well.
It is important to know that certain conditions are normal following surgical removal of wisdom teeth; bleeding, swelling and some temporary discomfort will all be experienced. However, these conditions will last only a few days before diminishing as part of the body’s natural healing process.