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Dental haemorrhage

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

GP's should send a claim to their FHSA.

Persistent bleeding from a tooth socket after dental extraction may be due to:

  • reactionary haemorrhage - seen after 2-3 hours as the local anaesthetic wears off
  • secondary haemorrhage - seen after 48-72 hours, if the clot becomes infected. This is more likely if the previous dental hygiene has been bad.

Check:

  • that the bleeding is coming from a tooth socket
  • pulse, BP and for signs of shock if the bleeding has been significant - transfusion is sometimes required
  • predisposing factors, to be followed up later, include: hypertension drugs such as warfarin or aspirin blood dyscrasia, haemophilia or purpura

ref: N Lawrence et al, HB Emergencies in Gen Pract 2e, 1997

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