Which of the following advice can help a patient prevent soft tissue injuries following local anesthesia?

To help a patient prevent soft tissue injuries following local anesthesia, a combination of advice is essential, making the inclusion of multiple strategies beneficial.

Avoiding hot drinks for a period of time post-anesthesia is important because local anesthetics can lead to a loss of sensation in the lips and tongue. Consuming hot beverages during this time can result in burns or scalds since the patient may not be able to feel the temperature adequately. Waiting for a few hours ensures that they regain enough sensation to avoid such injuries.

Similarly, advising patients not to eat for several hours minimizes the risk of accidental biting of the lip, tongue, or cheeks. When the soft tissues are numb, patients might not realize they are applying too much pressure or chewing in an unsafe area, which can lead to painful injuries.

The option of keeping a cotton roll in the mucobuccal fold, particularly if attached to floss, serves as a physical reminder to the patient that anesthesia has been administered, acting as a deterrent to biting or chewing in that area. It provides a visual and physical guide to help the patient avoid those areas until full sensation returns.

Combining these strategies not only addresses the risk of thermal injury from hot foods and drinks but also protects against biting injuries and enhances