After Placement of Dental Implants
Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound for one week following surgery. The dental implant may be submerged below the gum tissue or there may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gum tissue. You will need to apply an antiseptic liquid or gell as directed by Dr. Sclar and his team members.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by applying pressure over a moistened gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 15-30 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a frozen bag of peas, 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.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or hot food the day of surgery. Soft food and liquids should be eaten after surgery. Return to a normal diet 7-10 days after surgery unless otherwise directed.
Pain
You should 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 6 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol unless you were prescribed Diflunisal. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 8 hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.
Antibiotics
If prescribed be sure to take the antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The night of surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral before bed applying with a Q-tip or soft brush. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be applied twice daily, after breakfast and before bed if prescribed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses and/or soaks (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery for at least 7-10 days after. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.
Wearing your Prosthesis
Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least 10 days. This was discussed in the pre-operative consultation.
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