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  1. 8230-Operation mouth (EN)

Treatment and aftercare

An operation in the mouth can involve the removal of molars, wisdom teeth or root residue, a root-end resection or the placement of implants. Here you will find brief information about the treatment and what you can expect in the period thereafter.

Treatment

Local anaesthesia is used for almost every operation in the mouth. The Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon (OMF surgeon) loosens the gums near your tooth or molar. Sometimes he also drills away bone. When the treatment is complete, the wound is usually stitched. A piece of gauze is often placed on the wound; you have to bite on it for 30 minutes. You can then remove the gauze.

After treatment

While the anaesthetic still works (1.5 to 3 hours), it is wise to be careful when eating and drinking. Because you can't feel anything, there is a risk that you will choke or burn yourself, or that you will bite your lip or tongue. Once the anaesthetic has worn off, you can eat and drink again. But be careful with the wound.

If the numb feeling has not gone away after a couple of days, contact the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery outpatient clinic between 08:30 and 17:00.

Post-operative pain

Once the anaesthetic has worn off, you may experience pain. To combat this, you can take paracetamol. If necessary, the doctor will give you a prescription for other pain killers. Unfortunately, pain cannot always be completely suppressed. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of pain killers. The duration of the pain can vary from a few hours to a few days.

Swelling

The operation can cause your cheek or lip to swell up considerably. This is a normal phenomenon. The swelling can temporarily make your jaw muscles less mobile. As a result, the mouth does not open as far anymore and swallowing becomes more difficult.

The swelling will be the worst two days after the procedure. You can try to prevent the swelling by cooling with ice during the first hours after the operation. Put a few ice cubes in a plastic bag, wrap a washcloth around it and press it to the outside of your cheek or lip. Alternate cooling for 10 minutes and breaking for 10 minutes. Avoid excessive physical activity.

If the pain and/or swelling increase after three to five days, please contact us between 08:30 and 17:00.

Post-operative bleeding

It is normal for the wound to bleed a little a few hours after the treatment. Sometimes the saliva is just a little red.

If the wound bleeds, place a folded piece of gauze on the wound and bite firmly on the gauze for 30 minutes. Do not use cotton wool! If you do not have gauze, you can use a clean, ironed handkerchief. Do not rinse! The clot must be allowed to remain in the wound. Repeat if the wound continues to bleed.

If biting on the gauze has no results or the bleeding is too heavy, please contact us.

High temperature or fever

A high temperature of 38.5°C is normal. You may feel a little sick because of this. If you get a fever (above 39°C), please contact us.

Stitches

The stitches dissolve after two to three weeks. If the OMF surgeon has used a non-soluble suture material, an appointment has been made with you to have the stitches removed.

Wound care

Proper cleaning of the wound is very important for healing. You can brush your teeth, but be careful with the wound. We advise against smoking and alcohol consumption.

Starting the day after the procedure: rinse the mouth and especially the wound area four times daily with salt water. For this, dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of lukewarm water. Sometimes, a mouthwash will be prescribed.

Applicable if checked:

O The stitches do not dissolve by themselves. You have an appointment for removal.
O An emergency filling has been applied to your tooth or molar. You must make an appointment with your dentist to have this replaced with a permanent filling.
O Complete the entire prescribed course of antibiotics.
O Do not apply pressure to the nose. Do not blow your nose, keep your mouth closed when sneezing and don't play wind instruments.

Contact

If you have any questions, you can call the location where you are being treated:

Zwolle

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
088 624 28 81 (available from Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 17.00)

If you can't make it, let us know as soon as possible and we will make a new appointment.

Laatst gewijzigd 30 november 2021 / 8230

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