Using Tea Bags After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Every year, millions of Americans get their wisdom teeth removed. Luckily, most patients have a smooth recovery—but it’s normal to feel concerned about the recovery process. You may experience discomfort, swelling and temporary bleeding after their procedure. While this is normal, there is one surprising pantry staple that can stop persistent bleeding: tea bags. Here, we’ll discuss this at-home remedy and how it works, so you can ensure a more comfortable recovery.

What Does a Tea Bag Do For a Tooth Extraction?

While you might be thinking gauze is all you need, tea bags for wisdom teeth are a great method for helping stop bleeding as well as forming a blood clot (which protects the bone as the wound heals). So, what kind of tea bags should be used for wisdom teeth? Do tea bags help heal wisdom teeth extractions after surgery?

According to a study in the Hindawi Journal that looked into the effect of green tea extract on the prevention of gingival bleeding after a tooth extraction, green tea contains polyphenol compounds and tannins that have antioxidant properties. These tannins can be significantly effective in stopping the bleeding of sockets caused by tooth extractions and reducing oozing. The topical use of green tea also has anti-hemorrhaging properties, according to a study in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, it can reduce bleeding time and promote the wound healing process. You can also use black tea, which contains a significant amount of tannins. Tannins, according to a study in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces Journal, could affect the clotting time and clot strength of whole blood coagulation. Now that you know the scientific properties of tea bags, here’s how to use this method.

How To Use A Tea Bag After Tooth Extraction

The method is quite simple. Note that some tannins could stain the teeth, drink plenty of water and you should brush and floss the areas that are not affected by the extraction.

1. Steep a black or green tea bag in boiling water for two or three minutes.
2. Remove the tea bag and let it cool.
3. Place the cooled tea bag on the extraction site and gently bite down.
4. Keep it there for about five minutes.

If you experience excessive bleeding, contact your oral care provider immediately.

Wisdom teeth removal is a part of life for most people. Luckily, this procedure is common, safe, and your oral care provider will provide you with plenty of instruction to ensure your recovery process is comfortable. With the help of loved ones, your oral care team, and perhaps the use of a tea bag, you should be feeling better in no time.