After your dental implant placement is completed, it’s important to follow the recommended instructions given to you by your dentist. Dr. O’Grady and his team want nothing but a fast recovery for you. Just follow these dental implant post-op instructions, and you’ll be showing off your smile in no time!
Note: Patients who receive dental implant placement should not drive for at least 24 hours after treatment or while using narcotic pain medication.
Following oral surgery, it is normal to experience some bleeding. You will also be sore for the next few days. During this time, you should be icing, taking prescribed medication, as well as avoiding certain foods and activities. Dr. O’Grady highly recommends taking advantage of this time to rest.
You will experience discomfort, especially if you’ve had several dental implants placed. The good news is that every day that passes should be less discomfort. If the pain is getting worse, please don’t hesitate to contact our dental office. It’s normal to experience swelling in the face. This will subside with time. You can try icing for twenty minutes on and off during the first 48 hours. Place the ice on the side of your face that is swollen. Our friend Dr. Kim, a dentist in Lexington, KY, recommends sitting upward so that your head is elevated. Additionally, taking prescribed medication or over-the-counter ibuprofen will reduce swelling and pain.
During the first few days, you may need to rinse with warm saltwater. A half a teaspoon of salt should do. Please note that you should avoid spitting at all costs. The day following surgery, no rinsing should be done at all. You may also resume your normal teeth cleaning routine but be careful not to disrupt the surgical site. You can begin brushing all of your teeth the day after your treatment, with the exception of the implant or bone graft sites, starting the next day. With a soft toothbrush, you can begin brushing the implants, implant abutments, and bone graft sites four weeks after surgery. Be gentle at first while brushing the operative regions.
During the first week after dental implant placement, you should avoid straws, smoking, spitting, carbonated beverages, and alcohol. Soft foods only. Do not eat foods that contain seeds or nuts. The first few meals should be a smoothie, yogurt, applesauce, or soup. The following days you can eat macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, eggs - anything not too crunchy or hard. Dr. O’Grady urges you to drink plenty of electrolytes and water.
Please contact OG Dental in Denver, CO, if you have any questions or concerns.
