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After a surgical procedure

On the first day after the surgical procedure, physical exertion must be avoided to not disturb the formation of a blood clot that protects the wound. For the first couple of days, it is not recommended to engage in activities that require a lot of physical effort (for example, sports) or to go to the sauna. Avoid touching the wound with your fingers, tongue or any object, and avoid sucking on the wound. Do not clean the wound yourself.

Pain

After a tooth extraction or other surgical procedure, the area of the wound may be tender or painful as the anaesthesia wears off. Over-the-counter pain killers or pain killers prescribed by a doctor can be used to alleviate pain. On the first day, you should avoid taking aspirin as it may cause the wound to bleed excessively.

Bleeding

Blood may ooze from the wound on the first day. In case of continuous or heavy bleeding, do the following:

1. Take a gauze pad or bandage, twist it into a tampon the size of your thumb and place it on the wound.

2. Squeeze your jaws so that the tampon presses against the bleeding wound.

3. Keep each tampon on the wound for 30 min.

4. Remove the tampon. If the bleeding has not stopped, repeat the procedure.

It is important to remain calm. It is recommended to recline and apply an ice pack to the wound area on the face. Do not place the ice pack directly on the skin, instead cover it with a towel.

Please note! Medicinal products containing acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) may increase bleeding.

Swelling

All surgical procedures can cause swelling in the wound area. Swelling is usually at its greatest the day after the surgical procedure and subsides in 4–7 days. To reduce swelling, you can place an ice pack covered with a towel on the cheek for about 30 minutes immediately after the procedure. This can be repeated 3–4 times during the day. Swelling is often accompanied by difficulty to open the mouth, which disappears as the swelling subsides. Swallowing may be painful for a few days.

Eating, drinking, smoking

Following the surgical procedure, you should not eat for about two hours. On the first day after the surgical procedure, you should eat soft and cool food. Drinking alcohol and smoking after the surgical procedure is contraindicated.

Oral hygiene

Avoid vigorously rinsing the mouth for the first day after the procedure. Mouthwash solutions can only be used on the recommendation of a doctor. Brushing teeth following the procedure is permitted but avoid damaging the blood clot covering the wound when brushing. Therefore, clean gently around the wound. Afterwards, you can continue brushing teeth as usual. Good oral hygiene is vital to reduce the risk of inflammation.

Bruises

Bruises under the skin may occur after tooth extraction and may be quite extensive and spread to the neck as well. Within about one week, they will disappear without a trace.

Fever

A fever may occur the day after the tooth is extracted. If the fever persists for more than one day, you should consult a dentist for a check-up.

You should definitely consult a dentist if:

  • the bleeding does not stop within 24 hours;
  • the fever is high;
  • the pain is severe and does not respond to painkillers;
  • swelling increases on the 3rd or 4th day after the procedure.