Dental Implant Post-Op Care

To help you recover quickly and avoid complications in your healing process following implant placement, our periodontist and team recommend that you follow your post-op care instructions as closely as possible.

• Do not rinse your mouth for the rest of the day after your procedure.
• On the day following your procedure, begin rinsing with warm saltwater every two to three hours. (Use a half-teaspoon of salt per eight ounces of water). Do this for several days. Then rinse after meals and at bedtime for two weeks.
• Use prescribed medications, antibiotics and mouth rinses as directed.
• Use mild pain relievers, such as Tylenol, Advil or ibuprofen to relieve discomfort.
• You may begin brushing your teeth the day after your procedure, but be sure to avoid the surgical site for several days.
• If a temporary crown was placed, do not bite down until given permission to do so.
• Do not wear your denture, partial denture or other oral appliance until given permission to do so.
• You will likely experience some swelling. Apply ice or cold compresses to the side of your face at 15-minute intervals for the first 48 hours. After 48 hours, switch to heat instead, and continue applying heat until the swelling diminishes.
• Keep your lips moist with lip balm or Vaseline to prevent cracking.
• Do not operate machinery for at least 12 hours following your procedure.
• Do not smoke or use tobacco products — they can cause your implants to fail.
• If the cover screw or healing abutment of your implant falls out, call our office so that we can replace it. Bring the loosened component with you to this appointment.
• If you use oral contraceptives and have been prescribed an antibiotic, use an alternate method of birth control until you have completed your course of antibiotics.

Gum Surgery Post-Op Care

Caring for your mouth properly following gum surgery is critical to the success of your procedure. After your treatment we recommend that you:

• Do not eat for about three hours after your treatment, then maintain a soft diet for two to three days. Avoid alcohol, carbonated drinks, and hard or brittle foods that could injure the surgical site. Be sure to stay hydrated.
• Take all prescribed antibiotics and medications as directed. You may use a non-aspirin pain reliever as needed. If you have a reaction to a medication (nausea, a skin rash, etc.), stop taking the medication immediately and contact our office.
• Slight bleeding and oozing after gum surgery is normal and may occur for up to 48 hours after your procedure. If bleeding persists, you may apply a moistened gauze pad or tea bag to the site at 20-minute intervals. Keep your head elevated. If bleeding does not stop, please call our office.
• Use an ice pack or cold compress to help reduce swelling.
• Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth very lightly the first night. You may resume flossing gently again the next day. Do not use any irrigation devices (such as a Waterpik®) until you are cleared to do so.
• Do not smoke for at least 48 hours. Smoking can cause significant delays in the healing process.

Be sure to contact our office at 805-563-4404 if you have any questions about your upcoming periodontal or implant treatment.