How long do I keep the gauze after extraction?

Your dentist will keep a piece of gauze in your mouth after tooth removal. The gauze serves two purposes

  • To keep the blood clot intact in the extraction socket. This helps healing of the area.
  • To prevent you from biting on the lips, cheek or tongue till the numbness wears off.

The numbing effect of the anaesthetic remains for upto an hour. So it is best to bite on the gauze for so long as the numbness lasts.