Surgery in the oral cavity is accompanied by injuries of the surrounding soft and hard tissues. The healing process takes time and differs from person to person. In order to reduce unnecessary suffering and prevent complications, all instructions must be followed! Expected side effects: pain, swelling, reddish saliva, restriction in opening the mouth and difficulty swallowing.
Guidelines
- Do not eat for 2-3 hours until the local anesthesia has passed, and drink enough water
- You can then eat soft and cold food and drink only cold drinks for 24 hours
- For 24 hours it is forbidden: spit / gargle liquids / rinse your mouth / brush your teeth / smoke
- A cooling bag can be placed on the face in the surgical area as directed by your physician
- Avoid physical activity for the first 48 hours
- If antibiotics are prescribed, start on the day of treatment and finish the entire amount as directed by your doctor
- Painkillers should be taken immediately after treatment as directed by your doctor
- After 24 hours, begin mouthwashes with chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthwashes twice daily for 7-10 days
- Do not use medications/antibiotics without consulting your doctor.
- If a rash or itching appears on the skin, immediately stop all medications and notify your physician or family doctor
- If you experience high fever, severe pain over 36 hours, increased bleeding or renewed swelling, redness and local fever, contact your physician
- Increased bleeding: During the first few hours there may be bloody saliva. Saliva mixed with a little blood is not bleeding and does not pose a danger. In case of excessive bleeding, place a pad (bandage) or tea bag on the area for 20-30 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop after 40 minutes, notify your doctor immediately
- Removal of non-absorbable stitches after 7-10 days
- Some treatments requires follow up, be sure to follow the instructions
Additional instructions after open/closed sinus lift:
- It is strictly forbidden to apply pressure in the nose for two weeks – do not blow the nose, ...
- There may be a feeling of fullness in the nose and sinuses, obstruction of air passage through the nostrils (stuffy nose) or bloody discharge from the nose
- If the nose is clogged you can use nasal spray or drops, such as saline (salt water) or Otrivine, to open the nostrils according to the recommendation of your physician
- If there is bloody discharge from the nose, you can wipe the nose, but as mentioned, do not blow
- If you sneeze, be sure to do so with your mouth open without blocking your mouth or nose
- It is strictly forbidden to apply pressure in the mouth for two weeks – not to drink from straw, not to open balloons, not to play wind instruments...
- Avoid physical activity for 72 hours after surgery, then make do with low/moderate physical exertion for a week
- Do not take a dip in the sea or pool for two weeks
- Avoid traveling to places where there is a pressure difference – it is forbidden to fly, dive or travel to low (Dead Sea) or especially high places (mountains) for a month
- Avoid bending your head down and lifting heavy weight for two weeks
- Sleeping on 2-3 pillows to lift your head (about 45 degrees) may make sleep easier
- In case of cloudy/yellow fluid secretion or a feeling of foul/pungent smell, contact your physician immediately