After Dental Implant Surgery
Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There might 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 up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, 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 for 20 minutes at a time, as often as possible, for the first 24 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
You should begin taking pain medication before you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. This should be done after eating or drinking something. If you are able to take Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), please take it for pain. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets. Two to three tablets should be taken every four to six hours for pain. This should be taken on a regular basis the night before surgery, and then after surgery. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed in addition to the Ibuprofen. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.
Antibiotics
If antibiotics were prescribed be sure to take them as directed.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Warm salt-water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least four to five times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth with the healing abutments is not a problem. Be gentle initially when brushing the surgical areas. Occasionally an antibiotic mouth rinse will be prescribed. Please use as directed twice a day.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. 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 and as little as possible for at least seven days. If the prosthesis does not fit over the implant please have it adjusted by your dentist before wearing it.