Yeah, I've been told this by a couple people -- you want the clot to STAY PUT. Losing the clot can result in dry socket, instead of correct healing, which is painful and miserable.

Actually, I think I compromised the clot already, but am hoping another formed. Just taking the gauze off when I got home resulted in... pulling out.. a huge and ugly clot (Yes, way TMI here...). I'm hoping another formed, since I bled like a stuck pig for a while.