After surgery under local anesthesia

Avoid physical exertion

Blood vessels need time to close, allowing the healing process to begin. Therefore, avoid physical exertion, which can strain the blood vessels, in the first few hours after the operation.

Do not touch the wound

Do not touch the wound with your tongue, fingers, handkerchief, or similar items. Also, avoid sucking on the wound.

Mouth rinse and toothbrushing

Ideally, do not rinse your mouth on the same day and under no circumstances within the first 2 hours after the operation. Mouth rinsing can disrupt the initial healing process.

The day after the operation, you should begin brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth as follows:

• Brush your teeth at least 3 times a day. Be careful not to use toothpaste containing foaming agents (sodium lauryl sulfate, often abbreviated as SLS). Toothpaste with foaming agents negates the effect of chlorhexidine, which you need to use after brushing your teeth. Ask your pharmacist for toothpaste without foaming agents if you are unsure.
• Then rinse your mouth with 1 tablespoon of 0.1% chlorhexidine mouthwash.
• Do not eat or drink for 1 hour after rinsing your mouth – this allows the chlorhexidine to work. If you eat, drink, or rinse too early, you will wash away the effect and significantly reduce its effectiveness.
• Continue rinsing with chlorhexidine for 1 week. If you have stitches in your mouth, continue until the sutures dissolve. This takes about 8-10 days.

Eat soft and nutritious foods for the first few days

Wait to eat until the anesthesia has completely worn off. In the first few days after the operation, you should eat soft and nutritious foods. Only eat and drink cold foods in the first 24 hours. You can start eating hard foods, when it doesn't cause discomfort. Do not skip meals and eat normally in the following days. This helps the healing process.

Do not smoke

You should not smoke in the first few days after the operation. Smoking makes it more difficult for the wound to heal.

Take over-the-counter pain relief

You may experience mild pain or discomfort after the operation when the local anesthesia wears off.

We recommend that you take Paracetamol and Ibuprofen regularly in the first few days after the operation, even if you do not have pain:

• Take paracetamol (Pamol, Pinex, Panodil) 500mg, max 2 tablets up to 4 times daily.
• Take ibuprofen (Ipren, Ibumetin, Ibumax) 400mg, max 1 tablet up to 3 times daily.

If you experience unbearable pain, contact the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department or your own dentist. If you need stronger pain medication that requires a prescription, you will receive the prescription from the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department in connection with the operation.

Expect swelling

Swelling after surgery is a normal reaction. To limit swelling, you can cool the surgical site with an ice pack for the first 24 hours. Place ice cubes in a plastic bag, wrap it in a damp towel or dishcloth, and hold it against the skin over the surgical site for 5-10 minutes at a time.

Swelling will usually increase over the first 2-3 days and then subside. If swelling increases after the 3rd day, you should contact us or your dentist.

Expect bleeding

On the first day after the operation, blood may seep from the wound. This is normal. You can treat heavy bleeding as follows:

• Gently wipe blood from the wound with a clean gauze pad or a clean handkerchief.
• Take another gauze pad and place it over the wound.
• Bite down so the gauze pad presses on the wound edges.
• Then keep your mouth closed for ½ hour.
• The procedure can be repeated a few times.

If you are unsure, or in case of prolonged bleeding, contact us, your own dentist, or the On-Call Doctor Service.

Be aware of infection

Contact us if you experience the following signs of infection:

• Fever
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Bad Taste in mouth
• Visible pus
• Increasing pain
• Swelling

Follow-Up

We will agree with you whether you need to come in for a follow-up appointment. If so, you will receive an invitation to the follow-up appointment via Digital Post.

Contact and more information

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.