How long to keep gauze in after tooth extraction

The short answer

Gauze works by applying steady pressure so a blood clot can form in the socket. How long you should bite on it varies between sources, from about 10 minutes to 45 minutes. Use the time your dentist or surgeon gave you if they gave one, and the ranges below if they did not.

What the sources say

The NHS recovery page says that if bleeding occurs, press a clean cloth or cotton wool on the area for at least 10 minutes. A Wirral Community Health and Care NHS leaflet says to bite firmly over the area on a folded gauze pack for at least 15 minutes. A Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust leaflet says to apply firm, continuous pressure with clean damp gauze for at least 15 minutes and, if it continues, for another 15 minutes. The Kent NHS leaflet says to place a dampened cotton wool roll over the socket and bite firmly for 30 minutes.

Cleveland Clinic's recovery page says to leave gauze in place for about 30 minutes, replacing it if needed, and to remove it once bleeding slows, and its oral surgery guide says to keep constant pressure on gauze to help a clot form. Healthline's dry socket prevention guide says to keep gauze on the site for 30 to 45 minutes after surgery.

• NHS recovery page: at least 10 minutes.
• Wirral leaflet: at least 15 minutes.
• Bedfordshire leaflet: 15 minutes, then another 15 minutes if needed.
• Kent leaflet: 30 minutes, with dampened cotton wool.
• Cleveland Clinic: about 30 minutes, replace if needed and remove once bleeding slows.
• Healthline: 30 to 45 minutes.

How to use the gauze

Kent and Bedfordshire both say to dampen the gauze slightly and roll or fold it into a pad. Place it directly over the socket, not between the teeth, and bite down firmly while sitting quietly. Do not keep checking under it, because that disturbs the clot. The Kent leaflet adds that blood mixed with saliva looks like more than it is and that you can swallow it normally.

When can I take the gauze out?

When the time is up and bleeding has slowed or stopped. Cleveland Clinic says to remove it once bleeding slows. If you take it out and the socket is still bleeding steadily, place fresh gauze and bite again, as the Bedfordshire and Cleveland Clinic guidance describes. Light oozing for the first day or so is expected: Bedfordshire says minimal oozing in the first 24 hours is normal and that some blood staining on dressings, clothes or bedding is expected, and Cleveland Clinic says light bleeding and oozing are expected in days 1 to 3.

What to avoid while the clot forms

Do not rinse, spit or swish hard in the first 24 hours, and avoid straws, smoking and alcohol. The Wirral leaflet says to avoid mouth rinses for the first 24 hours, alcohol and smoking for the next 24 hours, and aspirin, which can cause bleeding. Cleveland Clinic also says to avoid aspirin because it thins the blood and can prolong bleeding. If you take a blood thinner, tell your dentist before surgery and ask what to do if bleeding continues.

If bleeding does not stop

The Wirral leaflet says to contact your dentist or out-of-hours dental service if bleeding has not stopped after an hour. The Bedfordshire leaflet says to apply firm pressure for at least 15 minutes, and again for another 15 minutes, and then to contact the emergency numbers if bleeding persists. Heavy or continuous bleeding, bleeding that lasts more than 24 hours, or bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure on clean gauze needs urgent attention.

Tea bags and other tips

Some people recommend damp tea bags. None of the sources we read mention them, so we cannot say whether they help. Stick to clean gauze or a clean cloth and the steps above.

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