Swelling
After an operation, the cheek or lip can swell considerably. This is a normal reaction to most of the procedures. The swelling may be at its greatest after two to three days and then slowly will recede. The swelling will be less pronounced if you hold a plastic bag of ice cubes against the treated side of the face, for five minutes. Then rest the treated area for five minutes. You do this alternately for one to two hours. Warmth of the sun should be avoided.
Food and drink
We advise you not to eat until the anesthetic has completely worn off. This will prevent you from unknowingly biting the still insensitive lip, tongue or cheek.
After pain
It is normal to experience pain after the treatment. You can control the pain with a pain reliever. It is best to start taking the painkillers before the local anesthetic has worn off.
No feeling in the lower lip
It is possible that after the anesthetic has worn off, the feeling in the lower lip may not return immediately. This may be because anesthesia injectment was close to the mandibular nerve. The feeling almost always returns over time. The first sign of recovery is a feeling "as if there are pins and needles". The duration can vary from a few days to a few months and up to a year.
Stitches
The stitches that have been applied will dissolve by themselves after some time. If a suture comes off after one or two days after the treatment, please contact us. After two days, the release of a suture however is not serious.
Mouth hygiene
After the first day of the procedure, in order to prevent bleeding, it is better not to rinse the mouth any more than you really have to. Keep your mouth clean. Brush your teeth well, but be careful around the wound. If you have been given a prescription for a rinse aid, rinse your mouth with it. Start with this the day after the treatment. It is better for wound healing, if you do not smoke or use alcohol for the first five days after treatment.
When to call?
If you get a fever above 39ยบ C, it is wise to call us. You should also do this if after four or five days the swelling of the cheek or lip or the pain does not decrease or even increases. Even if the wound continues to bleed despite your precautions, you must contact us. Preferably before ten o'clock in the morning.
Patient leaflets
You often have to process a lot of information during your visit to your doctor. Below you will find our patient folders for Oral Diseases, Oral and Facial Surgery, in which you can read this information again.
