Please read this information carefully and follow instructions as directed for postbiopsy aftercare.
You have undergone an oral biopsy. What this means is the taking of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination usually carried out after a local anaesthetic injection in the area, such as used for fillings. The biopsy procedure is virtually painless, though when the injection wears off after a couple of hours a little soreness will be experienced. Minor bleeding (pink saliva) is normal and expected. If you were given gauze to apply pressure to the biopsy site, please put direct and constant pressure with the gauze for one hour. If after removing the gauze some bleeding occures replace gauze and apply direct, constant pressure to the area for another hour. A tea bag may also be used to apply pressure and the tea will further decrease any bleeding.
Sutures or a dressing may or may not be used. The sutures may be resorbable or need to be removed in the next week. It is usually not a problem if the dressing is lost or the suture comes out earlier than one week.
After biopsy, to aid healing and make you more comfortable we suggest:
from 0 – 6 hours after biopsy
- Avoid rinsing out mouth.
- Avoid hot drinks.
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
- Avoid cleaning your teeth.
from 6 – 24 hours after biopsy
- Brush your teeth as you normally would after meals, making sure to avoid the biopsied area with your toothbrush.
24 hours after biopsy until completely healed (1½ – 2 weeks)
- Be sure to keep your mouth as clean as possible.
- Brush your teeth as you normally would after meals, making sure to avoid the biopsied area with your toothbrush.
- Rinse with hot, salt water after meals for 1 minute. (Dissolve one level teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water)