After Placement of Dental Implants

Home Care Instructions after Tooth Implant Surgery

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. 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 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 1 hour. If bleeding continues profusely, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice, on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours.

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 as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

Pain

• It is normal for pain to get worse over the next couple of days. Most discomfort is seen on day 2 and 3.
• Once you get home and the bleeding has stopped, you should eat (soft foods, pudding, etc.).
• After eating, start taking the Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen. Repeat the Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen every 6 hours for the next 3 to 4 days. This will help to decrease pain as well as swelling.
• For more severe pain, add the narcotic pain medicine in between doses of the Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen.
• Do not take the Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen and the narcotic pain medicine at the same time because this will likely make you sick. You should alternate the narcotic and Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen every 3 hours. Always take your medication with food; taking pain medication on an empty stomach can make you sick.
• Do not drive or operate machinery while taking narcotic pain medication.

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 night of surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before bed. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used 3 times daily; after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4 to 5 times a day as well, especially after meals. Brush your teeth and the healing abutments. Be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas.

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 should not be used immediately after surgery for at least 10 days as discussed in the pre-operative consultation.