Tips To Keep Yourself From Swallowing Blood After Oral Surgery

If you have an oral surgery that involves a tooth extraction, then you may be informed about some common side effects. This may include the onset of nausea after the operation. Bleeding is common, but it will typically subside within about two days. If bleeding is a bit more extensive than it should be, then you may end up swallowing some of the blood. This can cause a serious nausea problem. You can avoid nausea with the tips below.

Double Up The Gauze

Your oral surgeon will give you some gauze to place over the extraction site so blood can be absorbed and pressure can be placed on the site. This allows a blood clot to form. Your dental professional will give you some gauze to take home with you and you will be advised to replace the gauze every hour or two. If you bleed more than usual, then blood can seep around the gauze, enter your mouth, and you may then swallow it. 

If you notice the gauze becoming saturated within a short period of time, then you should replace it.  When you do this, double up the gauze by using two pieces of the material to better handle the flow of blood. You may end up using all of your gauze this way. You can either ask your oral surgeon for more of it or you can purchase your own gauze at your local pharmacy. If you choose to do this, then look for woven gauze made from cotton. The best gauze is an open weave variety that is made with a medium coarse weave.

Sleep In An Inclined Position

Oral surgery will cause you to bleed a great deal and saliva will be produced naturally to try to rinse the mouth out. As the saliva mixes with the blood, you will feel the urge to swallow. If you feel this urge, then lean your mouth over a sink and allow some of the saliva to drain out. Do not spit or you may cause a more serious bleeding problem. 

While you can release the saliva and blood in this way when you are awake, it can be difficult to do something like this while you are sleeping. If you want to avoid blood swallowing while you sleep, then make sure to keep your head gently inclined. Placing two pillows under your head can help with this. You also may want to place a towel near your chin and also on top of your pillow to collect the blood that may release from your mouth. For more information, contact a business like Altoona Center For Oral Surgery & Maxillofacial Surgery.