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Hello
I've just had my right hand 2nd pre-molars extracted (about 1 1/2 hours ago) - the left were removed last week.
I'm bleeding a lot more than i did previously and so have put in the gauze (moistened) given to me by the dentist. I put it in for a few minutes and then removed it and seem to have removed the upper blood clot too. Now i'm really worried that I've completely screwed up the healing process!! I've put another gauze in and an hoping that it re-forms - do you think it will? My dentist is now closed (i was the last client of the day).
My husband thinks i'm worrying over nothing but it's easy for him to say - he's not the one facing "dry-socket" if it all goes wrong
Any advice would be appreciated - thanks.
Does he have an emergency number you could call--so you will have piece of mind for the next 3 days (assuming they are not open again until Mon or Tues with the holiday!) Most dentists do have some type of emergency contact info--good luck. Try to to worry too much!
My dentist told me in the past that a wet tea bag with help speed up the clotting. I'd give that a try and see if it helps. I love tea and the wet tea bag even tasted horrible to me but I did clot up in no time so I would definitely do it again.
If it doesn't seem to work and there is a lot of blood, I would go to the ER. Do you have a telehealth number where you live? This is a number you call and can speak to a nurse for free on the phone. That might help ease your mind as well if it is an option.
I'd try the gauze and tea bag approach. If it's still not clotting, and your dentist doesn't check up on you or no emergency number, then head in and see what's happening.
I'm betting the clot will re-form if you use the gauze / tea bag though.
First off, calm down. You are probably fine. It's way too soon to consider dry socket. If you were still bleeding then there is a good chance the clot never fully formed and the bleeding will continue to make a good clot. Don't pull the gauze in and out of your mouth. If the bleeding is minimal leave the gauze out. If not, then make sure you keep the gauze in applying pressure for 30 minutes before removing again. I had gauze in my mouth for about 4 hours after my extractions. All went well with me.
No 2 extractions are the same. No need to worry if you are bleeding a bit more than the other time. Chances are it's nothing.
If it IS bleeding profusely, go to the ER. I'd also suggest taking magnesium and calcium, to help calm down, since you being freaked out isn't helping the bleeding, and these vitamins really help. Also, if it is still bleeding a little, like the others said the clot will most likely form again.
Thank you all so much for the advice / info. I know i was probably over reacting. I've been using the gauze and the bleeding has eased. I'll see how it goes during the night and if necessary, make an appointment with my dentist tomorrow.
Sorry for panicking
It's ok..we all do sometimes. If it makes you feel better, i managed to over panic myself so much the first time round, i passed out for a few minutes. :p
Totally understand being worried... and it seems like you're fine now! But if it makes you feel any better, I had all 4 second premolars out last week. I ran out of gauze right away so I ended up using tons of toilet paper wads, which I forgot to wet before putting in and switched out constantly. Then continued to accidentally sip out of straws before I remembered. And couldn't handle a soft food diet so I tried eating real food the next day and kept bumping the holes. But I didn't get a dry socket and am healing fine! I stressed myself out all weekend that I had a dry socket, went to the dentist Monday, and he said I was fine. Don't stress!
Thank you for understanding & for sharing your experiences
Bleeding has stopped but in much more pain than with the last extractions - hopefully the painkillers will kick in soon!!!
It's ok..we all do sometimes. If it makes you feel better, i managed to over panic myself so much the first time round, i passed out for a few minutes. :p
