Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours after dental implant surgery. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues profusely, please call the Doctor for further instructions.
Swelling is a normal occurrence after dental implant surgery and depending on the type of surgery may take 2-3 days to reach a peak. 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 and after 36hrs switch to warm heat as needed.
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off after having some food. For moderate pain, one or two tablets of 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 four times daily, not to exceed 3200mg daily for an adult. Consult our practice for individuals under 18. Do not take the two medications at the same time, and it may provide improved pain control by alternating those medications as prescribed by your surgeon.
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The day after dental implant 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 (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day as well, especially after meals. Brush your teeth and the healing abutments.
Be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas. The peridex provides a thin layer over the tissues and implant to protect from bacterial contamination and it will not be uncommon to have a change in taste or some staining of the tissues of the mouth.
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately after dental implant surgery, but you can advance as tolerated. If you exercise, although a low likelihood, 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.
