Oral Surgery
Gauze pressure
Gauze pressure means biting down on clean gauze to press on an extraction site. It helps stop bleeding and lets a blood clot form.
Gauze pressure is a simple first step after an extraction. MyOMS advises gently biting on a clean gauze pad or a moistened tea bag placed over the extraction site to reduce bleeding. Cleveland Clinic says to place a folded piece of gauze over the site and gently close down for 15 minutes, and to repeat as needed.
Pressure helps a blood clot form. MouthHealthy says that in most cases a small amount of bleeding is normal after an extraction. Do not keep checking the site, and do not rinse hard, because that can disturb the clot.
If bleeding does not slow after several rounds of pressure, call your dentist. See post-operative instructions and sutures. The tooth extraction page has the practice's own information.
Related terms
- Blood clot (socket clot)
- Post-operative instructions
- Sutures (stitches)
- Dry socket (alveolar osteitis)
- Tooth extraction