After a Surgical Procedure

ORAL HYGIENE

The wound heals best when a stable blood clot can form. Therefore, during the first 24 hours after surgery, you must not rinse your mouth or touch the wound with your fingers.
From the second day onwards, you may resume normal tooth brushing, as a clean mouth heals better. Use a soft toothbrush and clean carefully around the wound area.
If reduced mouth opening prevents brushing, you may rinse your mouth after each meal with a glass of lukewarm water containing one tablespoon of salt.
If a highly precise procedure has been performed (e.g. implant placement, apicoectomy, aesthetic surgery), strictly avoid touching the area around the wound until instructed otherwise by your dentist. Also avoid moving the lip or cheek near the wound.

EATING AND DRINKING

During the first 6 hours after surgery, avoid very hot or very cold drinks as well as alcohol.
In the following days, avoid very hard foods, as they may impair wound healing.
If you wear partial or full dentures, any pressure on the operated area must be strictly avoided. You will receive specific instructions regarding the use of your prosthesis.

SMOKING AND ALCOHOL

For the first 15 days after surgery, it is strongly recommended not to smoke or drink alcohol, as both significantly interfere with healing.
This recommendation is particularly important after precise surgical procedures and until the wound has closed or the implant has fully integrated (approximately 3 weeks to 3 months).

BLEEDING

On the first day, the blood clot may color the saliva red, giving the impression of bleeding; true bleeding is rare.
In the case of real bleeding, there will be more blood than saliva in the mouth. Bite firmly on a folded gauze pad or clean tissue for 30 minutes.
Do not remove the gauze, use cotton, or check the wound during this time.
If bleeding continues after 30 minutes, repeat the procedure. If it still persists, contact the practice or the emergency number.
Sometimes a gauze pad is placed after surgery and must be held firmly in the mouth for 45 minutes. After that time, it can be removed and discarded.

PAIN

It is normal to experience pain after surgery. The effect of local anesthesia usually wears off after 1–3 hours.
It is advisable to take a painkiller before the anesthesia wears off completely.

SWELLING

Swelling of the cheek, yellow-blue bruising, and reduced mouth opening may occur and are normal.
Swelling usually decreases after 3–5 days. If it does not, please contact the practice or the emergency service.

ANESTHESIA

The local anesthesia used in our practice does not affect reaction time, concentration, or the ability to drive. However, we recommend driving only if you feel fully capable.
After procedures involving the lower jaw, a tingling sensation in the lower lip may persist even after the anesthesia has worn off. In such cases, please contact the practice. The condition usually resolves within 2–8 weeks.

REDUCED MOUTH OPENING

Reduced mouth opening is common but usually resolves within a few days.
You may gently practice opening your mouth gradually, increasing the range step by step.

FEVER

During the first days after surgery, body temperature may temporarily rise up to 39 °C.
If fever suddenly exceeds 39 °C or remains above 38.5 °C for more than 5 days, please contact the practice or the emergency service.

SUTURES

In our practice, we only use sutures that need to be removed. An appointment for suture removal will be scheduled.
Sometimes a medicated gauze is placed in the wound (e.g. after wisdom tooth extraction); in this case, an appointment will also be scheduled to remove it.

OPENING OF THE MAXILLARY SINUS

In some cases, the roots of upper molars extend into the maxillary sinus. If such teeth are extracted, an opening between the mouth and the sinus may occur.
Through this opening, saliva may enter the sinus and cause inflammation. Therefore, the opening must be closed and sutured.
For the first two weeks after closure, it is very important to avoid pressure differences between the nose and mouth.
Avoid forcefully blowing your nose or sucking. If you need to sneeze, keep your mouth open.
During the first two days, a small amount of blood may come from the nose; this is normal and will stop on its own.

MEDICATIONS

According to current protocols, many procedures are performed under antibiotic coverage to minimize the risk of infection.

• Amoxicillin 500 mg: 2 g one hour before surgery, then for 6 days, 1 tablet every 8 hours (morning, afternoon, evening), during or after meals
• Metronidazole 250 mg: for 6 days, 1 tablet every 8 hours (morning, afternoon, evening), during or after meals

In longer procedures, a low dose of Valium may be prescribed to prevent jaw muscle cramps. In this case, you must not drive and should be accompanied to the practice.

• Diazepam / Valium 5 mg:
  1 tablet the evening before surgery
  2 tablets one hour before surgery

To prevent or reduce pain, we recommend:

• Ibuprofen 600 mg: after surgery as needed, 1 tablet every 8 hours, during or after meals
• Ibuprofen 600 mg: after surgery for 3 days, 1 tablet every 8 hours, during or after meals

From the day before surgery and for the following two weeks, rinse your mouth after every meal with a disinfectant mouthwash.

• Chlorhexidine 0.12%: after each meal and for 15 days or until the post-operative appointment, rinse with one measuring cup of undiluted solution for approximately 1 minute. Do not rinse with water afterward; simply spit out the solution.

All medications will be prescribed to you with a medical prescription.