After Placement of Dental Implants
Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for the first 24 hours after surgery. A gauze pack has been placed over the surgical site. Change the gauze every 30 minutes for the next several hours or until the bleeding has stopped. If heavy bleeding continues after that time frame please call the office for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply the ice pack you were given on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice for 20-30 minutes at a time, then take a break for 30 minutes. Repeat this cycle for the next 48 hours. After the first 48 hours, please use heat instead.
Diet
You may eat soft, cool foods the first day like jello, applesauce, yogurt, pudding, ice cream, smoothies and milkshakes. Avoid using a straw for a week. You may start eating warm foods the day after surgery. Avoid hard, crunchy foods for several weeks in the area that the implant was placed.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you arrive home. Please eat a small amout of food when you get home, wait about 20 minutes and then take one of your pain pills in accordance with the prescription. You may supplement your pain medication with Advil or Ibuprofen. Please remove the gauze anytime you eat or drink anything and replace it when you are done eating or drinking.
Antibiotics
Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection. You must finish your antibiotics. It is best to take your antibiotics 1 hour after your pain medications and with food.
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. The first few days, just hold the Peridex at the surgical site. Then start to gently swish with the Peridex. Brushing your teeth can begin the day after surgery. Please avoid the surgical site until you see us for your post operative visit.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. It is best to not exercise for the first 3-4 days.
Wearing your Prosthesis
Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least 10 days. This was discussed in the pre-operative consultation.