Instructions After Oral Biopsy or Oral Pathology Surgery

After an oral biopsy or removal of an oral lesion, some soreness, minor swelling, and a small amount of bleeding may be expected. The tissue removed during your procedure will be sent for examination by a pathologist when appropriate.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or blood-tinged saliva is normal after surgery. If bleeding is more significant, place a gauze pad directly over the surgical area and apply firm, continuous pressure for approximately 30 minutes.

Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or touching the surgical area on the day of surgery.

If bleeding remains heavy or does not improve with firm pressure, please call our office for further instructions.

Pain

Some discomfort is normal following an oral biopsy or removal of an oral lesion. If you are able to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), good options include one of the following:

Aleve (naproxen): 1-2 over-the-counter tablets every 12 hours
Advil (ibuprofen 200 mg): up to 3 tablets every 6 hours

Choose either ibuprofen or naproxen. Do not take both together.

If ibuprofen or naproxen alone is inadequate, you may add 1-2 Regular Strength Tylenol (acetaminophen 325 mg each) every 6 hours.

If you are unable to take NSAIDs, 1 Extra Strength Tylenol (acetaminophen 500 mg), or 1-2 Regular Strength Tylenol (325 mg each), every 6 hours is often sufficient.

Be aware that acetaminophen is also contained in many prescription pain medications and over-the-counter cold and flu products. Do not take additional acetaminophen without considering the total amount you are taking from all medications. If your surgeon has prescribed or recommended a different pain medication regimen, follow those instructions.

Swelling

A small amount of swelling may occur depending on the location and extent of your procedure. If needed, an ice pack may be applied to the outside of the face near the surgical area for approximately 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first day after surgery.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids after surgery. Begin with soft foods that are comfortable to eat and avoid very hot, spicy, hard, crunchy, or sharp foods that may irritate the surgical area.

Gradually return to your normal diet as you feel comfortable, chewing away from the surgical site when possible.

Oral Hygiene

Keeping your mouth clean is important for healing. Avoid vigorous rinsing on the day of surgery.

Beginning the day after surgery, gently rinse with warm salt water several times each day, especially after eating. Mix approximately one teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water.

Continue brushing your teeth, but be gentle around the surgical area and avoid directly traumatizing the biopsy site.

Sutures

Sutures may be placed depending on the location and type of biopsy performed. Some sutures dissolve on their own, while others may need to be removed at your follow-up appointment.

If a suture becomes loose or comes out, this is not always a cause for concern. Please contact our office if the surgical site opens, begins bleeding significantly, or you have questions about your sutures.

Your Biopsy Results & Follow-Up Appointment

Your follow-up appointment is an important part of your biopsy and should not be skipped. We routinely schedule patients approximately 1 to 2 weeks after a biopsy so that your surgeon can examine the surgical site and discuss your biopsy results with you.

A biopsy can identify many different types of conditions, and not all oral pathology is cancerous. Your surgeon will review the pathology findings with you, explain what they mean, and discuss whether any additional treatment, evaluation, or follow-up is recommended.

Please keep your scheduled follow-up appointment even if the biopsy site feels completely healed and you are having no symptoms.

If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment, please reschedule the appointment rather than canceling it. It is important that your surgeon review the biopsy results with you and determine whether any additional care or follow-up is necessary.

When to Call Our Office

Please contact our office before your scheduled follow-up if you experience bleeding that does not respond to firm pressure, pain or swelling that is worsening rather than improving, a suspected medication reaction, opening of the surgical wound, fever or other signs of illness, or any other symptoms that concern you.

Your surgery and recovery are individual. If the instructions provided specifically by your surgeon differ from these general recommendations, please follow your surgeon’s instructions.