A 35-year-old member asked:

Could i rinse with salt water if i'm still bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction?

2 doctor answers4 doctors weighed in
Dr. TED FEDER
42 years experience
Pressure Is Better: First wipe away any clot over the gum surface. Then place a moistened teabag on the bleeding site and close together for 30 minutes without letting up. You should be sitting upright with a cold pack on the cheek. Drink plenty of fluids!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Earl Sandroff
A Verified Doctoranswered
Dentistry 45 years experience
Stop rinsing..: Rinsing the extraction sites is the wrong thing to do. You are washing out the blood clot perhaps. Call the doctor who did the extractions and ask what to do. You might need to go back and see the doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

A 48-year-old member asked:

How often should I rinse with salt water after a wisdom tooth extraction?

3 doctor answers8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jeffrey Yost
Dentistry 26 years experience
4-5 days: No rinsing is done for the first 24 hours after the extractions are completed. Then the day after extractions, start the warm salt water rinses. Put a teaspoon of salt in a juice glass of warm water. Swish for 1-2 minutes and then spit out gently. Do this 3-4 times a day for a few days. These rinses help to soothe the sore gums and promote their healing at the extraction sites.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old member asked:

Is it recommended to rinse with salt water after wisdom tooth extraction?

2 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ronald Smith
Dentistry 42 years experience
Yes: But, not to quickly after the surgery. You want to be careful not to disturb the open sockets too soon as the clotting that occurs is part of the healing process. Vigorous rinsing can remove this clot and result in healing problems. After the clot is stable, rinsing with salt water helps with healing and keeping the area clean.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:

I was wondering is it normal not to have any bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction?

3 doctor answers7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joel Doyon
Dentistry - Cosmetic 38 years experience
Yes, it's normal: Yes and that is ideal to have no bleeding after the first half hour after an extraction. You might just have some great clotting factors that help prevent bleeding.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old member asked:

How long does bleeding last after wisdom tooth extraction?

4 doctor answers9 doctors weighed in
Dr. TED FEDER
42 years experience
Up to 24 hours: You should not bleed profusely at all. Oozing can last up to 24 hours. Pressure is the best way to stop bleeding. In the mouth, place a moistened teabag on the site and close for 30 min without letting up. The pressure over 30 minutes, plus the tannic acid in the tea will promote coagulation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
New York, NY
A 50-year-old female asked about a 54-year-old male:

How long is bleeding normal after wisdom tooth extraction?

3 doctor answers8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Paul Grin
Pain Management 38 years experience
A half hour: A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is very common. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for thirty minutes. Repeat as needed until bleeding is stopped. Take care.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Bruce Pope
Dr. Bruce Pope commented
Dentistry 47 years experience
Pink or blood in saliva or on the gauze pad don't count as active bleeding.
Jul 11, 2014
Dr. Paul Grin
Dr. Paul Grin commented
Pain Management 38 years experience
Provided original answer
Good point Dr. Bruce Pope and thank you for sharing your knowledge. I think there is no bleeding that pressure on the gauze will not stop.
Jul 11, 2014
Last updated Mar 27, 2016

Disclaimer:

Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.