After Wisdom Tooth Extraction, How Long Should You Keep Biting on the Gauze?

After wisdom tooth extraction, how long should you keep biting on the gauze?

Wisdom teeth are the molars that erupt last among permanent teeth,

and they are located at the very back of the mouth.

Because they come in after the other teeth have already lined up,

there is often not enough space,

so they frequently erupt in an incorrect position.

Also, wisdom teeth, which are called the ‘third molars,’

are deeper in position

and not easy to access, so they are relatively difficult to manage.

Because of these characteristics,

the risk of cavities or gum inflammation

is relatively high as well.

If a wisdom tooth does not grow in the correct direction

and instead grows crooked or is partially buried under the gums,

leaving it alone can push against neighboring teeth

and cause misalignment of the teeth.

In some cases, it can press on nerves,

leading to pain or nerve-related problems.

Because various problems like these can occur,

it is recommended to receive a detailed examination at the dental clinic

to check your oral condition,

and, if necessary, have the wisdom tooth extracted.

However, when extracting a wisdom tooth,

it is very important to proceed only after carefully checking several factors,

such as the tooth’s position and direction,

its relationship to the surrounding teeth,

and the distance from the nerve canal.

Also, after extraction, to recover quickly,

it is necessary to strictly follow the precautions provided by the dental clinic.

If the precautions are not properly followed,

various complications such as bleeding and inflammation can occur,

so special attention is needed.

Today, among those precautions,

let’s look at how long you should keep biting on the gauze nafter wisdom tooth extraction! 🤗

🦷 Gauze after wisdom tooth extraction 🦷

After extraction, we recommend keeping the gauze bitten down on for at least 2 hours.

The gauze may become soaked and feel uncomfortable,

but this is an important process that helps prevent bleeding

and stabilize the extraction site,

so it is necessary to keep it in place for the time instructed by the clinic.

And while biting on the gauze,

even if it feels unpleasant,

swallowing rather than spitting out saliva or blood

helps with stopping the bleeding.

Also, if the wisdom tooth extraction is complex

or there is a lot of bleeding,

the gauze may become soaked quickly.

In that case, it is recommended to replace it with the extra gauze provided by the clinic

and continue applying pressure.

However, even though the clinic may have instructed you

to keep the gauze in place for about 2 to 3 hours after extraction,

some people still feel uncomfortable

or overlook the instructions

and do not keep biting on it properly. (ㅠㅠ)

For quick hemostasis,

you should keep biting on the gauze after wisdom tooth extraction

for about 2 to 3 hours,

and please be sure to follow the precautions given by the clinic :) 💖

Seoul Oven Dental Hospital 4th and 5th Floors, 196 Baekjegobun-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul