Before the postoperative period
Make sure that you fully understand all instructions given by your doctor. After oral surgical procedures, pain, swelling, and bleeding may occur. Mild discomfort is natural, but some symptoms require immediate contact with your doctor.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
bleeding that lasts 4 hours or longer after the procedure
nausea
vomiting
elevated body temperature
pain that does not decrease within 24 hours after the procedure
increasing swelling after 72 hours following the procedure
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
- bleeding that lasts 4 hours or longer after the procedure
- nausea
- vomiting
- elevated body temperature
- pain that does not decrease within 24 hours after the procedure
- increasing swelling after 72 hours following the procedure
Pain prevention
A local anaesthetic is used before the procedure, so for several hours afterwards you may feel numbness and a sensation of swelling. Until the anaesthetic has fully worn off, avoid eating, as you could unintentionally bite your cheek, lip, or tongue.
The strongest pain usually lasts for 24–48 hours after the procedure. Swelling may increase for up to 3 days, and discomfort in the operated area may last for 3–5 days. During the recovery period, it is best to rest for 7–10 days and strictly follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding painkillers or antibiotics.
Inform your doctor about all medications you are taking or plan to take.
Follow the instructions for taking prescribed medications.
If the pain does not subside or becomes worse, contact your doctor.
Do not exceed the recommended medication dose.
Do not consume alcohol after the procedure or until you have finished taking your medications.
Do not drive if you are taking narcotic pain medication.
Do
- Inform your doctor about all medications you are taking or plan to take.
- Follow the instructions for taking prescribed medications.
- If the pain does not subside or becomes worse, contact your doctor.
Do not
- Do not exceed the recommended medication dose.
- Do not consume alcohol after the procedure or until you have finished taking your medications.
- Do not drive if you are taking narcotic pain medication.
Make sure you fully understand all of your doctor’s instructions. After oral surgery, pain, swelling, and bleeding may occur. Mild discomfort is normal, but some symptoms require immediate medical attention.
The gauze placed on the surgical wound should be bitten gently, not chewed, and kept in the mouth for about 30 minutes after the procedure. Slight oozing may continue for 1–2 hours, and a small amount of blood may colour the saliva for up to 24 hours afterwards.
If bleeding does not stop after four hours, contact your doctor. After 24 hours, you may brush your teeth, avoiding the operated area.
For 24 hours after the procedure, do not rinse your mouth, even if you notice an unpleasant taste of blood or medications.
Do not chew on the gauze placed over the wound and do not make sucking movements.
Avoid physical activity for 7–10 days after the procedure.
Avoid tea and coffee. Choose cooled meals instead.
Do not smoke or consume alcohol for two weeks after the procedure.
Do not
- For 24 hours after the procedure, do not rinse your mouth, even if you notice an unpleasant taste of blood or medications.
- Do not chew on the gauze placed over the wound and do not make sucking movements.
- Avoid physical activity for 7–10 days after the procedure.
- Avoid tea and coffee. Choose cooled meals instead.
- Do not smoke or consume alcohol for two weeks after the procedure.
Swelling prevention
Swelling may occur after the procedure and usually increases over three days. It then begins to decrease and generally resolves after about 5–7 days. As the swelling decreases, bruising may appear and usually disappears within 10–14 days.
Apply a cold compress to the treatment area immediately after the procedure.
Use ice for 5 minutes, then take a 30-minute break; repeat for about 12 hours after the procedure.
If swelling is still increasing after 72 hours or does not decrease within 5 days, contact your doctor.
Do not apply heat to the operated area.
Do not massage the operated area, as this may significantly increase swelling.
Do
- Apply a cold compress to the treatment area immediately after the procedure.
- Use ice for 5 minutes, then take a 30-minute break; repeat for about 12 hours after the procedure.
- If swelling is still increasing after 72 hours or does not decrease within 5 days, contact your doctor.
Do not
- Do not apply heat to the operated area.
- Do not massage the operated area, as this may significantly increase swelling.
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Before the procedure
- For three days before the procedure, rinse your mouth with a 0.1% chlorhexidine solution twice daily for 2 minutes.
- Take the medication prescribed by your doctor 2–3 hours before the procedure begins; this is usually an antibiotic.
- If you feel anxious, you may begin taking calming preparations recommended by your doctor or pharmacist the day before the procedure, remembering their effect on psychomotor performance.
After the procedure
- Do not eat or drink for two hours after the procedure.
- Avoid hot food and hot drinks for 48 hours, and eat soft foods until the sutures are removed.
- Do not spit out or move the tampon placed over the treatment area for 30 minutes; swallow your saliva instead of spitting.
- Apply ice to the treatment area through gauze for 5 minutes, followed by a 30-minute break, for about 12 hours after the procedure.
- Do not blow your nose. Sneeze and cough only with your mouth open.
- Do not fly or travel on high-speed trains for 3 weeks.
- Do not dive for one month.
- Do not engage in sports for 2 weeks.