Understanding Face Bruising After Dental Procedures

Understanding Face Bruising After Dental Work

It's not uncommon to experience some bruising or swelling after certain dental procedures. This occurs when small blood vessels are damaged during treatment, allowing blood to leak into the surrounding tissues. While bruising can look alarming, it usually subsides within a few days.

What Causes Bruising After Dental Work?

Some of the most common dental procedures that cause bruising include:

• Tooth extractions - Pulling teeth can trauma the tissues and blood vessels around the socket where the tooth was removed.
• Implants - Drilling into the bone to place the implant can damage adjacent blood vessels and lead to bruising.
• Root canals - Cleaning out infected pulp material can irritate tissues around the tooth.
• Gum surgery - Reshaping gum tissues also involves cutting small blood vessels.

Typically, the more invasive the dental procedure, the higher chance there is for bruising afterwards. The face area also has lots of blood vessels located close to the surface of the skin, making bruises more visible.

Where Does the Bruising Occur?

Bruising often appears on the cheek area closest to where dental work was performed. However, some patients experience more widespread bruising across the jaw or under the eyes. Gravity causes blood to track downward, leading to bruises sometimes showing up far from the actual site of tissue trauma.

Factors That Increase Risk of Bruising

Some people seem prone to developing noticeable bruises after dental treatments. This includes those who:

• Take blood thinning medications - Reduced clotting can lead to increased bleeding and leakage of blood into tissues.
• Have bleeding disorders - Conditions like hemophilia make patients more susceptible to bruising.
• Have delicate blood vessels - Some patients simply bruise more easily due to fragile capillary walls.
• Had extensive dental work - Longer, more complex procedures increase the risk of blood vessel damage.

Caring For Face Bruising After Dental Procedures

While bruising inevitably occurs after some dental treatments, there are things you can do to minimize swelling and tenderness:

Cold Compresses

Applying cold compresses constricts blood vessels, reducing blood leakage into tissues that causes bruising. Use an ice pack wrapped in a towel for 10-15 minutes at a time during the first 24 hours.

Pain Relievers

Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve soreness from bruising. Check with your dentist about combining these with any stronger prescription pain medications.

Soft Diet

Stick to soft, cool foods like yogurt, pudding, soup, or applesauce. Avoid very hot or crunchy foods that require lots of chewing and could further irritate bruised tissues.

Head Elevation

Prop yourself up with some pillows while resting. This allows gravity to reduce fluid accumulation in bruised facial areas to speed up recovery.

When to See Your Dentist

In most cases facial bruising after dental procedures resolves on its own within a week or so. But contact your dentist right away if you experience:

• Ongoing severe pain that medication does not relieve
• Pus draining from the area
• Swelling that gets worse or continues spreading
• Fever over 101 F

These could indicate an infection or other complication requiring further treatment. Otherwise, a little bruising is normal and no cause for alarm.

Will Bruising After Dental Work Go Away?

Yes, face bruising from dental procedures should completely go away once the blood trapped under the skin is reabsorbed. Most patients see bruising disappearing within 7-14 days. The green/yellow discoloration is part of the normal healing process.

How to Prevent Bruising After Dental Work

While some minor bruising is often inevitable, the following can reduce your risk of excessive bruising after dental treatments:

• Avoid blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprofen, garlic, ginkgo, and vitamin E for 1 week beforehand if possible
• Get treated for any bleeding disorders prior to extensive dental work
• Apply pressure to the area for 5-10 minutes after dental procedures
• Follow post-procedure care instructions carefully

When to Call the Dentist About Bruising

Consult your dentist if you experience:

• Moderate to severe facial bruising that persists longer than 2 weeks
• Pain that steadily worsens despite medication
• Bruising accompanied by signs of infection like fever, pus, or red streaks

Report any vision changes, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or excessive bleeding as these can indicate serious complications requiring emergency care.

The Outlook for Face Bruising After Dental Procedures

Waiting for facial bruising to fade can be frustrating, but the long-term outlook is excellent. With proper care most bruises heal completely within 7-14 days without any permanent effects. More severe bruising may last 3-4 weeks.

In rare cases some patients experience hematomas, which are large blood clots trapped deep in the tissues. These show up as a hard facial swelling and may require surgical draining. But this occurs in less than 5% of dental patients.

Work closely with your dentist if bruising does not start to improve within the first week or two. While bruises can look disturbing, rest assured that most resolve rapidly without further problems.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.