Possible symptoms during the first week may include: 

• Pain.
• Swallowing difficulties and limited mouth opening.
• A general feeling of illness with a slightly elevated body temperature.
• Swelling inside and outside the mouth, which may be particularly significant in the mornings. These symptoms typically subside after about a week.

Removing gauze and managing bleeding:
After certain treatments, a gauze may be placed on the wound. Bite down on the gauze for half an hour to stop bleeding. If the wound starts bleeding again at home, fold a gauze, napkin, or handkerchief and bite down on it for another hour. A small amount of (old) blood in the saliva during the first few days is normal. If bleeding persists, please contact us by phone.

Wound healing:
To ensure proper wound healing, it is essential to:

• Avoid rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours.
• Brush your teeth normally, excluding the wound area for the first 1-3 days.
• Do not smoke nor consuming alcohol during the first week.
• Use the prescribed mouthwash starting from the day after the procedure.
• If you were given a monoject syringe, you can rinse the lower jaw wound with warm saline solution after each meal, starting 72 hours after the treatment. Continue this until the wound is healed and you can no longer access it with the syringe.

If you wish to have an implant placed after the extraction, it is common to wait up to 3 months to proceed with the implant treatment plan. This waiting period allows for preventing bone loss and complete healing of the extraction site.

Antibiotics:
If you have been prescribed antibiotics and experience side effects such as itching, skin rash, or any other reactions, please contact the clinic immediately. If you have any doubts or concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Numbness from anaesthesia:
The anesthesia will gradually wear off within two to four hours. Until it fully wears off, avoid eating or drinking to prevent burns or biting injuries.

Pain:
After the anesthesia wears off, you may experience pain, which can last for about a week. If the doctor prescribed pain medication, follow the instructions provided. You can pick up the prescription from your pharmacy. You may also use paracetamol if needed.

Fever:
After the treatment, you may experience a slight fever. After three to four days, the fever usually decreases.

Swelling:
After the treatment your cheek and/or lip may swell. This is a normal result of the treatment. To limit the swelling we may provide you with a cold pack after the treatment. You can also apply a washcloth filled with ice cubes to your cheek at home. We recommend cooling for fifteen minutes at a time, with intervals of several minutes. The cheek should not freeze. Be careful not to freeze the skin, always wrap the cold pack in a tea towel so the cold does not damage your numbed skin. Your cheek and/or lip may be quite swollen for the first two to three days. The swelling usually disappears after seven to ten days.

Limited mouth opening and swallowing difficulties:
Any limitations in jaw movement or swallowing difficulties usually improve and disappear within a few days. If swelling increases after three to four days and is accompanied by a fever, please contact the clinic.

Stiches:
Any stitches will dissolve on their own within one to three weeks, unless the surgeon indicates otherwise.

Sun exposure:
Avoid direct sub exposure to your heas during warm weather in the first few days after the treatment.

Contact Haaglanden Clinics when you experience:

• A fever above 39 degrees Celsius.
• Severe bleeding.
• An increase in swelling and difficulty swallowing 3-5 days after your treatment.
• If you experience a persistent numbness in your chin, lip or tongue

Do you have any questions after reading the brochure? Feel free to call Haaglanden Clinics. We are available by phone from Monday to Friday, from 08:30 to 12:15 and from 13:00 to 17:00, at telephone number 070 2212121.

In case of emergencies or urgent complaints outside Haaglanden Clinics’ opening hours, please contact the Emergency Department of Haaglanden Medical Center at telephone number 088 9792380.