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Dental Emergencies

Excessive Bleeding

Bleeding can occur in your mouth for a variety of reasons. These include injury, missing teeth, gingivitis, periodontal disease, infections, or following some dental procedures. When bleeding is significant or cannot be stopped, you should take immediate action.

What to do

  • If there is minor bleeding in the mouth, use a piece of moistened gauze to apply firm pressure to the area for 10-20 minutes until the bleeding stops. Don't try and absorb the blood without applying pressure, and don't dab at the place the bleeding is coming from.
  • If you feel there is more bleeding than expected, or if the bleeding isn't stopping after you apply pressure, call your dentist immediately.
  • Author: Symbyos staff, Fluent staff
  • Medical review: Thomas J. Greany DDS, 2/7/2021
  • Last updated: 2/9/2021
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