What do we call a haemorrhage that occurs 24 hours after a tooth extraction?

A haemorrhage that occurs 24 hours after a tooth extraction is referred to as secondary haemorrhage. This type of bleeding takes place after the immediate post-operative period, which typically involves primary haemorrhage occurring during or immediately after the extraction.

Secondary haemorrhage is usually due to the breakdown of the initial clot that formed at the extraction site or a reaction to infection, which can cause inflammation and bleeding some time after the procedure. Recognizing the timing of the bleeding is critical, as it informs the dental professional about potential underlying issues, such as inadequate clot formation or infection, requiring different management compared to primary haemorrhage.

In this context, the other terms do not accurately describe this late occurrence of bleeding. Post-operative bleeding generally refers to immediate or short-term bleeding following a procedure and is not specific to the timing of 24 hours post-extraction. Therefore, understanding the distinction between these types of bleeding is crucial in dental nursing, impacting treatment and patient care strategies.