Swallowing small amounts of blood from wisdom teeth, particularly after an extraction, is generally not harmful, as your body's digestive system can process it. However, ingesting excessive quantities of blood can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea and an upset stomach.
Understanding the Effects
When a wisdom tooth is extracted or if there's bleeding around an erupting wisdom tooth, some blood will naturally mix with saliva. Your body's response depends on the amount swallowed:
Small Quantities
Your digestive system is remarkably efficient and capable of handling small amounts of blood. Just like any other protein, the blood will be broken down and digested without causing any adverse effects. This means that a little bit of swallowed blood should not be a cause for concern.
Excessive Quantities
If a significant amount of blood is swallowed, it can irritate the lining of your stomach. This irritation can manifest as:
- Nausea: A feeling of sickness with an urge to vomit.
- Upset Stomach: General discomfort or pain in the stomach area.
- Vomiting: In some cases, the stomach irritation might be severe enough to cause vomiting, where the vomitus may appear dark or resemble coffee grounds due to the digested blood.
The primary concern with swallowing a lot of blood isn't toxicity, but rather the discomfort and potential for dehydration if vomiting is severe.
Managing Bleeding and Preventing Excessive Swallowing
After a wisdom tooth extraction, managing the bleeding is crucial to minimize the amount of blood swallowed.
- Bite Down on Gauze: Your dentist will typically place a sterile gauze pad over the extraction site. Biting down firmly on this gauze for 30-60 minutes helps apply pressure, which is essential for clot formation and controlling bleeding. Replace the gauze as needed.
- Avoid Sucking: Do not use straws, spit vigorously, or smoke, as these actions can dislodge the blood clot and prolong bleeding.
- Gentle Rinsing (after 24 hours): After the initial 24 hours, you can gently rinse your mouth with a warm salt water solution (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water) to keep the area clean, but do so very gently to avoid disturbing the clot.
- Elevate Your Head: Keeping your head elevated, even when lying down, can help reduce bleeding.
- Rest: Avoid strenuous activities for the first few days, as they can increase blood pressure and bleeding.
| Amount of Blood Swallowed | Potential Outcome | Action to Take |
|---|---|---|
| Small Quantities | Generally harmless, processed by digestion. | Continue post-extraction care. |
| Excessive Quantities | Nausea, upset stomach, potential vomiting. | Minimize further swallowing, contact dentist if severe or persistent. |
When to Seek Professional Help
While some swallowed blood is normal, certain signs indicate that you should contact your dentist or oral surgeon:
- Persistent Heavy Bleeding: If the bleeding does not subside after several hours of applying pressure with gauze, or if it's very heavy and continuous.
- Severe Pain: Pain that is not managed by prescribed medication or is worsening.
- High Fever or Chills: These could indicate an infection.
- Excessive Swelling: Swelling that increases significantly after the first 2-3 days, or makes it difficult to swallow or breathe.
- Uncontrolled Nausea or Vomiting: If you are vomiting frequently due to swallowing blood and cannot keep fluids down, you risk dehydration.
For more detailed information on post-extraction care, it's always advisable to follow your oral surgeon's specific instructions or consult resources from reputable organizations like the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
