How Often Should You Change Your Gauze After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

If you’ve just had your wisdom teeth removed, one of the first things you’ll deal with is the gauze in your mouth. We understand that you may feel a bit uncomfortable, but it has to be there to help stop the bleeding and protect the area. If you’re wondering how often you should change your gauze after wisdom tooth removal or when to stop using it altogether, this article’s for you.

Why Change Your Gauze After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Changing your gauze regularly after wisdom teeth removal is an important part of your recovery. Let’s see why:

Controls Bleeding: When you change your gauze and use a fresh one, it can help control the bleeding by gently pressing on the wound. This can help a blood clot to form, which is necessary for proper healing.

Promotes Healing: Using clean gauze helps keep the area clean and dry because it absorbs extra fluid. When you manage the gauze properly, you can experience a more comfortable recovery.

Looking to understand more about wisdom teeth? Our guide on wisdom teeth removal in Perth has you covered.

When to Change Your Gauze: Timing is Everything

Knowing when to change your gauze after wisdom teeth removal can make healing smoother and help keep you more comfortable. Here’s what you need to know about the timing and signs that indicate that it’s time for a fresh piece of gauze:

Initial Timing Post-Surgery

Typically, you should change your gauze about 30 minutes after your procedure is done, and actually once it becomes soaked with blood. It’s normal for the extraction site to bleed for the first few hours after wisdom tooth extraction and fresh gauze helps manage this.

Signs It’s Time for a New Piece

Saturation: Replace the gauze once it is fully soaked. If it’s just a little stained, wait a bit longer, but never leave soaked gauze on the wound.

Discomfort: If the gauze feels uncomfortable or it’s not in the right position, it’s time to change it.

Reduced Bleeding: At first, you may need to change the gauze every 30 to 45 minutes, but as the bleeding slows down, you won’t need to replace it as often.

Shifted Gauze: If the gauze shifts and isn’t covering the wound properly anymore, it’s best to change it to keep the area protected.

Important: Be careful not to change the gauze too often, as disturbing it too much can prevent the blood clot from forming properly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Gauze

Before You Start

Clean Gauze Pads: Your dentist will typically give you a sterile gauze pad.

Clean Hands: Before you touch the gauze, wash your hands properly and thoroughly to prevent infection.

A Mirror: It helps to have a mirror at hand so that you can see exactly where you should put the gauze.

A Timer: You can also use a timer to remind you when it’s time to change the gauze.

Detailed, Easy-to-Follow Steps

Wash Your Hands: Start by washing your hands with soap and water to eliminate germs and reduce the risk of infection.

Prepare the Gauze: Take a clean gauze pad and fold it into a size that will comfortably fit over the extraction site. It should be large enough to cover the area completely but not so large that it’s uncomfortable in your mouth.

Remove Used Gauze: Now, gently remove the old gauze pad that’s in your mouth. Throw it away immediately.

Place New Gauze: Use the mirror to help you see well, and then try to place the folded gauze pad directly over the surgical site. Make sure the gauze covers the wound properly and fully, and apply gentle pressure to keep it in place.

Bite Down Gently: Close your mouth and bite down on the gauze gently but firmly. This pressure helps to control bleeding and keeps the gauze in place.

Set a Timer: Depending on how much you’re bleeding, set a timer to remind yourself when to check the gauze. At first, you may need to change it every 30 to 45 minutes.

Repeat as Needed: Replace the gauze as often as necessary, based on the signs we talked about earlier.

Do’s and Don’ts While Changing Your Gauze

You’ll need to pay attention to a few simple dos and don’ts when changing your gauze after wisdom tooth removal. We mention these simple tips to help you learn how to keep the area clean and reduce the risk of complications:

Best Practices for Hygiene

Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after touching the gauze or the extraction site.

Use Sterile Gauze: Only use the sterile gauze your dentist gave you or that you bought from a pharmacy. Don’t use other materials because they’re not safe.

Keep the Area Dry and Clean: Try to replace the gauze before it becomes too soaked with blood or saliva to help keep things clean.

Proper Disposal: After taking out the used gauze, it’s important to throw it away right away so it doesn’t contaminate anything around you.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid Reusing Gauze: Never reuse gauze. Always replace it with a fresh, clean piece to prevent infection.

Don’t Overuse Gauze: Once bleeding has significantly reduced and the extraction site is mostly stable, there’s no need to keep using gauze. If you use gauze for too long, it can irritate the wound and slow down healing.

Don’t Touch the Wound: Do not touch the extraction site with your fingers or tongue because it can cause bacteria to enter the site and lead to infection.

Avoid Smoking: Smoking can severely affect the healing process, so avoid smoking during the recovery period.

How Long Should You Keep Using Gauze?

Initial Hours: Typically, you need to use the gauze pad for the first few hours (3–4 hours) after your tooth removal procedure. Using gauze during the first few hours helps control the bleeding and allows a blood clot to form at the extraction site.

First 24 Hours: During the first day, it’s common to change your gauze every 30 to 45 minutes or whenever it becomes soaked with blood.

Beyond 24 Hours: After the first day, you may need to use gauze less frequently, depending on how much you’re still bleeding.

Indicators That You No Longer Need to Use Gauze

Reduced Bleeding: If the bleeding has significantly slowed down or stopped, and the gauze remains mostly clean when you check it, you might no longer need to use it.

Formation of a Stable Clot: Check the extraction site carefully. If you notice that a proper blood clot has formed over the area, you usually don’t need the gauze anymore.

No Pain from Exposure: If you don’t feel intense pain when the area is not covered, and there’s not much swelling, it usually means things are healing well.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my gauze after wisdom teeth removal?

You should usually change your gauze every 30 to 45 minutes after wisdom tooth removal if it’s still bleeding. If bleeding continues, place a fresh piece of gauze and bite down gently for another half hour.

When should I stop using gauze after extraction? You can stop using gauze once the bleeding has slowed down and the gauze stays mostly clean. This usually happens within 45 minutes to two hours after the tooth is removed. For some people, light bleeding, not heavy, may last up to three or four hours, which can still be normal. If you’re still bleeding heavily after two hours, it’s best to contact your dentist.

Can I sleep with gauze in my mouth after wisdom teeth removal? Never sleep with gauze in your mouth after wisdom tooth removal because it could block your airway and cause choking. You should take out the gauze before going to bed once the bleeding has slowed or stopped. If you wake up and the bleeding continues, replace the gauze before getting ready for sleep again.

What happens if I leave the gauze in for too long? Leaving gauze in your mouth for too long can stop the blood clot from forming properly and may slow healing. It can also irritate the area and cause more bleeding or a painful dry socket. Take the gauze out or change it once the bleeding slows, and don’t leave it in longer than it is needed.

Why is my gauze sticking to the wound? If gauze sticks to the extraction site, it may damage the healing tissue and slow healing while you try to remove it. To make it easier, try to wet the gauze pad with a bit of water or saline and give it a moment to soften. Then, gently and carefully try to remove it to avoid pain or damaging the tissue.

Is it okay to talk while gauze is in my mouth? Talking with gauze in your mouth may move it and stop it from fitting tightly, so you may keep bleeding or slow the formation of a clot. It’s best to keep your mouth closed and avoid talking until the bleeding slows and the gauze has done its job. Once the bleeding eases, you can take the gauze out and speak more comfortably.

Book Your Follow-Up: Ensure Your Healing is On Track

Remember, follow-up visits after wisdom tooth extraction can help make sure you’re healing properly. Book your appointment today by calling us at (08) 9474 5083.