After Placement of Dental Implants
After placement of dental implants do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. You may be eager to see the surgical site avoid pulling your lips or cheeks aside, doing so may open or loosen sutures. There will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24-48 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a moist gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 40 minutes. If excessive bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your face against the surgical site, alternating for 20 minute intervals with 20 minutes of no ice .
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet 3 to 4 days after surgery, unless otherwise directed.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 3-4 hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.
Antibiotics
Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. We strongly discourage going to the gym or excessive physical activity for 1 week. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.
Wearing your Prosthesis
Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited during the first two weeks after surgery and is strongly discouraged after that. Smoking may be detrimental to your implants healing.