Your recovery period after your procedure is critical to the overall success of your surgery. You must keep the surgical site undisturbed, especially if a blood clot needs to form. Most discomfort can be alleviated with cold and hot compresses and over-the-counter pain medication. We encourage you to relax for the first few days after surgery, drink the recommended amount of water, and eat nutritionally to help jumpstart your recovery. We’ll review your post-operative instructions during your visit at Hutt Dental Implant Centre in Lower Hutt, NZ to ensure you’re comfortable with the healing process before treatment begins.
Bleeding is expected after your surgery. Place gauze over each surgical site to manage any bleeding and firmly bite down for 30 minutes. This process can be repeated as necessary. You can also bite down on moist tea bags. If you’ve been given a partial denture, this will also help control bleeding. Contact our office right away if you experience excessive and prolonged bleeding.
Some swelling is normal and may also include bruising around your face. This will be most noticeable 2-3 days after surgery but will subside. To control swelling, apply an ice pack to one or both sides of your face for 30 minutes while awake. After 48 hours, switch to using heat instead.
Temporary numbness around the chin, eyes, and tongue is normal. While this may persist for a few days up to several months, the numbness is rarely permanent. Contact us if you have concerns or you experience changes in these sensations.
You may experience significant discomfort for the first few days after surgery, as well as a sore throat and elevated temperature. This pain is normal and can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen. To minimize nausea, avoid taking medicines with alcohol or on an empty stomach. Contact our office immediately if you experience worsening pain after four days or develop a fever.
For the first 24 hours, refrain from brushing your remaining teeth or gums. This will help to encourage healthy blood clots to form. Warm saltwater rinses can resume after the first day and should be completed 5-6 times daily, especially after meals. If you have a partial denture, it should be removed before rinsing. Brush any remaining teeth while being careful not to disturb the surgical sites.
During the first day following your surgery, drink plenty of water to rehydrate. Your mouth may be too sore to eat foods, so begin with a soft diet, such as nutrition shakes, which are easy to consume and help give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to heal properly. Avoid using straws and hot foods or drinks. A normal diet can slowly be resumed as you heal.
Avoid strenuous physical activity or exercise for at least two days after surgery. This can harm the surgical sites. During rest, whether sitting or lying down, keep your head elevated. Avoid driving if you take pain medication, and do not bend over or lift heavy objects.
Some bleeding after your tooth extraction is normal. To stop any persistent bleeding, bite down on a gauze pad for 30 minutes at a time. This can be repeated for as long as necessary. Any bleeding that is excessive or uncontrollable should be reported to us immediately.
Minor swelling is common after tooth extraction. Consistently apply an ice pack to the area until the swelling subsides in about 48 hours.
Pain and discomfort are normal but can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Take all pain medication as instructed. The pain will subside after a few days, so contact our office in Lower Hutt, NZ if this pain worsens.
If you have been prescribed antibiotics, take them as instructed, either in tablets or liquid form. Do not skip any of the medication, even if you no longer feel any pain. Antibiotics help reduce the risk of infection after surgery.
You can resume your normal oral hygiene routine 24 hours after your surgery. Floss once a day, brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and avoid brushing around the extraction site for the next 72 hours.
After your surgery, drink the recommended amount of water daily and stick to a nutritional soft-food diet. You can resume eating normally as soon as you feel comfortable biting and chewing foods. Avoid hot foods and liquids, do not use a straw, and refrain from drinking alcohol for 72 hours after surgery.
Do not partake in rigorous exercise or physical activity for the first 24 hours after surgery to avoid dislodging the blood clot. Exercise increases blood pressure and can cause the surgical site to bleed.
Minor bleeding is normal for the first 24 hours after your surgery. If you experience more excessive bleeding, bite down on a gauze pad placed over the wound for 30 minutes. Contact our office immediately if you have prolonged bleeding or bleeding that cannot be controlled.
Minor swelling is normal directly after surgery and may last a few days. To help minimize swelling, hold the ice pack or bag of ice wrapped in a towel to your cheek. Apply this ice as much as possible for 36 hours after your surgery.
Pain medication, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), can be taken before the local anesthetic wears off to avoid discomfort. Follow the instructions for how many medications you can take in the given period. Take any prescription medication only as instructed. If severe pain occurs and continues, contact our office immediately.
If you’ve been prescribed antibiotics, take them as instructed by our doctor until complete. Antibiotics help to prevent infection, which is crucial to the success of your surgery.
Take any prescribed mouthwash as directed, usually the night after your surgery before you go to bed. For the next few days, use this mouthwash 1-2 times daily (morning and night) and begin rinsing your mouth with warm salt water 4-5 times a day, especially after eating. Twenty-four hours after your surgery, you can gently resume brushing your teeth and the surgical site with a soft toothbrush.
Drink the recommended amount of water daily and eat nutritionally rich food to help your body recover from surgery. Avoid drinking or eating hot beverages or foods, and do not chew foods directly on the implant site. Immediately after your surgery, stick to a soft diet (such as protein shakes, yogurt, applesauce, etc.). You can return to a normal diet within a few days or as instructed by our doctor.
For the first week after surgery, refrain from exercising or physical activities that can increase blood flow and disturb the surgical site. Also, avoid activities that increase the risk of impact or injury to your mouth. If, during exercise, you experience complications such as bleeding or throbbing at the surgical site, discontinue activities immediately and contact our office.
Some bleeding is normal after surgery. A common mistake when applying gauze pads is clenching teeth to hold them in place instead of firmly pressing them down on the surgical site. This can cause heavier bleeding. Contact our office immediately if the bleeding worsens or does not stop.
Minor swelling is normal and will be most evident 48 hours after surgery. To minimize swelling, keep the head elevated and apply ice packs to the area in 30-minute intervals. After 48 hours have passed, apply warm compresses instead.
Pain is a normal result of surgery and can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. If prescription medication has been provided, take it only as instructed by our doctor. Medication should begin before the local anesthetic wears off and should be taken with food to avoid nausea. Contact our office if the pain worsens or does not subside within normal time.
Bruising may occur and be noticeable 1-2 days after surgery. Cold and warm compresses can help reduce the visible signs of bruising, which will fade on their own within a few days or weeks.
If antibiotics are prescribed, take all the medication as directed until the series is complete. This helps reduce the chances of infection at the surgical site. Be watchful of the signs of infection, including increased swelling, intense pain, and foul-tasting drainage from the surgical site. Contact us immediately if this occurs.
Do not vigorously rinse your mouth or spit for at least 3-5 days after surgery. Gentle rinsing with warm salt water or mouthwash can resume the day after your procedure. Carefully brush and floss teeth, but do not disturb the surgical site. Avoid touching the area with your tongue or finger, and do not lift your lip to minimize the chances of tearing the sutures.
Stick to a mild, soft food diet for at least the first 2-4 days. These foods should be easy to consume without biting or chewing and be nutritionally rich to help your body heal properly. A normal diet can be resumed once the area has healed. Do not smoke or consume alcohol for at least two weeks after surgery or for as long as possible.
If you’re receiving a denture or flipper, we’ll have specific instructions on the day of your surgery. We may instruct you to wear your prosthesis immediately, leave it in place for 48 hours before removing it, or refrain from wearing it until the site has healed. If you have been instructed to wear your prosthesis and sores or swelling develops on your gums, remove it and contact our office immediately.
