What to Do After Dental Implant Surgery

After your dental implant surgery, pay close attention to the area surrounding your new implant. For the first month, the implant post is still integrating into the jawbone. This process is called osseointegration. Above all, be very careful not to disturb the wound at the implant site in the days following your dental implant surgery. Avoid rinsing, spitting, and touching the mouth for 24 hours after surgery to avoid contaminating or irritating the site. After your implant surgery, follow these important care instructions.

1. Take all prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection. Twenty-four hours after the surgery, begin using the prescribed rinse twice daily alongside a warm saltwater rinse 4-5 times daily (preferably after every meal/snack).
2. Blood in your saliva is normal during the first day after surgery. We suggest biting on gauze pads to help control and lessen blood flow.
3. Shortly after your dental implant surgery, the anesthetic will wear off and you may feel some discomfort. Take pain medication before this happens. Any over-the-counter pain medication can be taken.
4. It's best to start with soft foods, but you can resume a normal diet as soon as as soon as you feel able to do so. Additionally, drink plenty of fluids.
5. The surgical site must be kept clean for the wound to heal properly. Brush your teeth, but avoid any sutures and don't brush the implant. 
6. To help minimize swelling, keep your head elevated and rest as much as possible. Ice packs may be helpful to reduce swelling for the first couple days after your surgery.
7. Smoking after dental implant surgery increases the risk of infection. This can also affect the implants ability to integrate into the jawbone. We recommend that patients do not smoke for a minimum of 2 weeks after dental implant surgery. Do yourself a favor and make a plan to quit using tobacco. 

What does recovery from dental implant surgery involve?

Recovery after dental implant surgery happens in phases. Maintaining proper oral hygiene should be your primary focus. In order for the implant to properly fuse with the jawbone, it must remain clean. Also keep in mind that when properly cared for, a dental implant can serve its owner for life.

Healing time differs for each patient. Your recovery time will depend on your case and treatment plan. We'll schedule follow-up appointments accordingly.

If you have questions, please contact our office.