Protect the surgical site
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.
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding area for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call the office for further instructions.
Post-operative instructions
Follow these guidelines during your recovery, and don't hesitate to call us with any questions.
Swelling
Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and sides of the face is not uncommon; it is the body's normal process in repairing itself. It may take 12 to 24 hours to appear and may not reach its maximum until 2–3 days post-surgery. Minimize swelling with the immediate use of ice packs: apply to the sides of the face where surgery was performed, continuously while you are awake. After 36 hours, ice has no beneficial effect. If swelling or jaw stiffness persists for several days, call the office.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or hot 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 medication
Begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3–4 hours, or Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin, 200 mg tablets), 2–3 tablets every 3–4 hours as needed. For severe pain, take the prescribed medication as directed. Be sure to take prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection. Do not take any of these medications if you are allergic to them or have been instructed by us not to take them.
Home hygiene care
The night of surgery, use the prescribed Peridex oral rinse before bed. The day after surgery, use Peridex twice daily, after breakfast and before bed, rinsing for at least 30 seconds each time. Warm salt-water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4–5 times a day, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem; just be gentle initially around the surgical areas. Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing.
Physical activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. Physical activity could cause throbbing or bleeding of the surgical implant area.
Wearing dentures
You will always have teeth during your recovery period. Temporary partial dentures or full denture arches should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least 10 days.