After Placement of Dental Implants

Home Instructions After Dental Implant Surgery

After dental implant surgery, do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. 

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours.

  • Bite on gauze for 30 minutes – do not chew on it. Remove it and check for bleeding. Repeat as needed with fresh gauze only if active bleeding is taking place.
  • The gauze must be placed directly over the surgical site to be effective. Firm pressure is what stops the bleeding
  • A dark tea bag (i.e. Lipton) slightly moistened with cold water may be very helpful in place of the gauze. Bite on tea bag for 45 minutes.
  • Bleeding for the first day on and off is normal. If bleeding persists, or is excessive, please notify us.
  • Do NOT eat, sleep or drink with gauze in your mouth.
  • Do not rinse, spit or use a straw for the first 24 hours. This will disturb the blood clot and prolong bleeding.  It is best to avoid smoking for several days after having oral surgery.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. 

  • Apply ice packs immediately to all areas where surgery was performed in order to minimize swelling.
  • Place the ice packs on for 20 to 30 minutes (or as much as tolerated) and off for 20 to 30 minutes. This process can be repeated for the first 24 to 48 hours as needed.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. A soft food diet is recommended for several days after surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

  • Your nutrition is extremely important.
  • Do not eat any foods that require chewing while you are numb
  • No hot food or drink on day of surgery so as to minimize bleeding. Start with a cool or lukewarm soft diet the day of surgery along with plenty of fluids. No hard or crunchy food for 5-7days.

Pain

Fill your prescriptions and take your medication as directed.

  • Take the first dose of pain medication after you get home before the numbness wears off. We recommend you not take the medication on an empty stomach, so take it with a large glass of liquid or light food (milkshake, Smoothie, soup, etc.).
  • If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing.

  • Cleanliness is a must for rapid and uncomplicated recovery.
  • The day after surgery, you may brush your teeth as you normally would avoiding the implant sites completely.
  • Any rinsing on the day of surgery should be gentle.  Begin rinsing with a warm salt water solution (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) four to five times per day for one week. If you have been prescribed Peridex mouthwash, please use as directed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out.  Remember NOT to eat or drink for 30 minutes after using Peridex.
  • You may begin brushing the healing abutments 7 – 10 after implants are placed. Please use the new toothbrush given to you on the day of surgery for the healing abutments only.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking in normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures can be worn immediately after surgery only if instructed.  Specific instructions are given to each individual patient day of surgery.

Any questions or concerns, call our office at (847) 945-6700