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Your mouth will be numb for several hours after.
You should avoid hot food and drinks at this time, and take care to avoid biting a numb lip and tongue. It is best to eat soft or pureed food for the first week, and if possible, to favour the other side of your mouth.
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You should avoid alcohol or excessive physical activity for the remainder of the day.
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You should not rinse your mouth out on the day of the operation.
Starting the following day, you should gently bathe your mouth with the mouth rinse prescribed or with a glass of warm water containing half a teaspoon of table salt 3 times a day for the first week. Clean your teeth normally but avoid the wound(s). Any stitches should dissolve in approximately 5-7 days.
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You may notice blood-stained saliva for the first day or so.
If there is frank bleeding or bleeding is persistent, apply pressure to the wound with a clean rolled damp handkerchief or sterile gauze (not cotton wool) for at least 20 minutes by the clock. Rest in a sitting position and avoid spitting out. If the bleeding continues please contact your surgeon.
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Mild swelling around the wound is common afterwards.
It develops over the first 24-48 hours and will then gradually improve. Bruising may also appear and may take 1-2 weeks to fully resolve.
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Pain-relief medications will be prescribed and will need to be collected from a pharmacy.
Generally, Panadeine and an anti-inflammatory medicine are used, in combination, to good effect. Antibiotics are rarely necessary. It is important that your medications are taken as directed.
Usually, a follow-up appointment will be arranged 1-2 weeks later to review the wound(s) and to discuss the biopsy results with you.