- Some pain, bleeding, swelling, and seeping is normal following oral surgery. Please do not try to view the site by pulling on your lip and do not probe the area with your tongue or fingers. If you experience excessive bleeding or discomfort after 48-72 hours, please call our office immediately.
- You can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen according to the instructions on the label or those provided by our office as needed.
- Swelling around the face, eyes, and surgical site is not uncommon and may become more noticeable two to three days following surgery. Applying a cold compress to the face near the implant site will help minimize swelling. If using an ice pack, please do not apply ice directly to your skin but place a cloth between the ice and your skin at all times. You may apply the cold compress for up to 20 minutes on and at least 20 minutes off as needed. After 36 hours the cold compress will have no further impact on swelling. After this period, the application of moist heat to the sides of the face can help reduce swelling.
- A warm salt water rinse, approximately ½ teaspoon in an eight-ounce glass of water, three times a day can be helpful.
- Avoid brushing your teeth near the surgery site but brush and floss the rest of your mouth as instructed by our office.
- For 24 hours following your surgery, do not suck on a straw, brush, rinse, spit, or smoke.
- For the first 24 hours, you may experience some cold and heat sensitivity. Avoid hot and spicy foods as well as carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
- Restrict your activities on the day of your surgery. Avoid excessive work or play, and resume normal activity the following day as tolerated.
- After the first day, gently rinse with a warm salt water rinse, approximately one-half teaspoon of salt in an eight-ounce glass of water, three times a day.
- During the first few days after surgery restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods such as soups, yogurt, juice, and smoothies.
- Follow any other instructions provided by the office on your visit. Please take all medications as prescribed including your prescribed antibiotics to help prevent infection.
- If you have a denture that overlaps the implant site, please minimize the use of the denture following surgery to allow the site to heal. After the first week, you should be able to gradually increase the amount of time you can wear your denture.
- It is extremely important to keep your follow-up appointment(s) so that we can monitor the healing process.
- If pain and swelling are increasing after a few days, please call our office right away.
The following soft foods are recommended:
- ✔ Soup
- ✔ Pasta
- ✔ Scrambled eggs
- ✔ Chopped meats
- ✔ Mashed potatoes
- ✔ Macaroni & cheese
- ✔ Sugar free gelatin
- ✔ Liquid dietary supplements
- ✔Drink plenty of plain water.
The following foods must be avoided:
- ✔ Hard foods (e.g., nuts, popcorn, chips)
- ✔ Sticky foods (e.g., chewing gum, taffy, candies)
- ✔ Hot foods and liquids
- ✔ Carbonated beverages (e.g., beer, soda, mineral water)
- Dentures and partials will often need several adjustments in order to fit comfortably.
- To help yourself adjust to your dentures you can practice reading aloud for a little while each day.
- Dentures should be removed overnight or for at least 6 hours a day to give your mouth and gums time to rest.
- At night you should remove your dentures and clean them. They should be stored in a clean container filled with denture cleaning solution.
- Food particles can become trapped under dentures causing inflammation or sore spots. Lightly brush the roof of your mouth, your tongue, and your gums after removing your dentures.
- You may have discomfort for a few days after receiving your final dentures or partials.
Ongoing Care:
- Brush your teeth and the surrounding tissues after every meal and snack and flossing at least once a day before bedtime. If you have full dentures, brushing the dentures daily is very important.
- Rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash will help to remove any additional particles that may have been missed during brushing and flossing.
- Make sure to visit our office at least once a year to have your dentures or partial adjusted and checked by the doctor. Wearing ill-fitting dentures or partials without proper care and adjustment can cause bone loss in the jaw area and oral disease.
- Please call our office if you are experiencing ongoing pain or discomfort or if you have any concerns regarding your denture or partial.
It is important that you avoid chewing and hot liquids until all of the numbness has worn off. You may unknowingly bite or burn your tongue, cheek, etc.
Some mild discomfort is to be expected. Your gums, teeth, and jaw all have the potential for being sore or sensitive to pressure or changes in temperature. Generally, this only lasts for a few days.
We recommend that you take a single dose of an over-the-counter pain medication before your anesthetic wears off. The ideal dosage and medication is 400 mg of ibuprofen. If you are not able to take this medication, 500 mg of acetaminophen is the second best choice. Additional pain medications/prescriptions, if provided, will be explained to you. Do not take any medication to which you are allergic or which any doctor has instructed you not to take.
Sometimes, due to the condition of your tooth, it is necessary for us to manipulate your gums during treatment. If your gums feel sore, swish with warm salt water 5 times per day until the soreness goes away.
As with natural teeth, always avoid hard and sticky foods. These can cause a host of problems, including fractures, dental decay, and failed restorations.
It may take some time to get used to your new restorations. Hot and cold sensitivity may be present for a few weeks. Your tongue may notice small, grainy pieces of excess bonding material (cement). These small pieces normally come off on their own within a few days of regular brushing and flossing. If you still notice them after 3 days, please contact our office; we can schedule an appointment to quickly remove them. Lastly, your bite may feel strange for a few days. If this persists for more than 3 days, please contact our office; we can schedule an appointment to quickly adjust your bite.
Proper brushing and flossing and regular professional cleanings are necessary to maintain your restorations. This cannot be overemphasized.
