When you receive dental treatment, we are often working very close to the gum tissue, which is full of lots of blood vessels. Because the gum tissue is so thin and may already be irritated if not brushed and flossed daily, it can be natural to bleed after a dental visit no matter how gentle your dentist is.

Bleeding can be particularly concerning for children because of the taste and it may be a new sensation for them. We have some tips on how to stop and avoid bleeding after your child’s dental procedures.

Apply pressure

Roll gauze or fold it several times over and wet it with water and place it on the irritated gum. Have your child bite down and keep the pressure on. Any bleeding will typically substantially decline in 10 minutes and likely completely stop within an hour at the longest. If you’re outside or don’t have gauze on hand, you can use folded paper towel.

Keep your child’s head elevated over the heart

Uncomfortable kids — especially those with gauze inside their mouth — often lie down and this tends to keep more blood in the head and neck area. If you prop his or her head up with pillows you will effectively decrease the blood pressure in the wound and reduce bleeding.

No rough play/intense exercise or lifting anything heavy

Your child shouldn’t carry his/her backpack, for example, or run around too much. Strenuous activity can trigger bleeding and slow healing.

No playing with the irritated/procedure site

Tell your child not to touch the wound with the tongue.

Stick to soft food for a while and avoid straws

Hard food particles and can dislodge the blood clot and trigger bleeding. Follow your dentist’s advice on safe food and drinks and avoid foods that are served very hot. Also, it is wise to avoid sucking through straws as this pressure can also dislodge healing clot material.

Don’t swish too hard when brushing, and don’t use mouth rinses

We really can’t blame kids wanting to get the taste of surgery and blood out of their mouths. But be gentle, and use the dentist-approved mouth rinse they give you. A salt water rinse is best.

About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates

Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Premier Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. The ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options.  We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.

39400 Garfield Rd., Suite 200
Clinton Township, MI
48038
US
Phone: 586-286-0700
Fax: 586-286-5932