Post-Op care instructions

I’ve had a dental implant placed – what should I do now?

· Take it easy for the rest of the day. Take as little exercise as you can, and rest as much as you can. Keep your head up to avoid any bleeding.

What precautions should I take?

· Avoid hot food and drinks until the anaesthetic wears off

· Be careful not to chew your cheek/lips/tongue whilst numb

· Keep your head slightly raised for the first night using an extra pillow

· It is important to avoid placing any pressure on the surgical site for as long as possible to prevent disturbing the implant while it integrates. This means leaving out any temporary tooth replacements (e.g dentures) as much as possible, and eating on the opposite side of your mouth if possible.

Should I rinse my mouth out? 

· Do not be tempted to rinse the area until the next day! Rinsing your mouth too soon will cause the immature blood clot to degrade negatively affecting healing. Eating and drinking is fine, as well as gently brushing your teeth, but ensure you just spit out the toothpaste and do not swill. The following day you should start to bathe the site with the recommended mouthwash. Use about half a capful, twice a day, and simply hold the mouthwash over the area for 60 seconds until the bottle is finished.

Is there anything else I should avoid?

· You must avoid alcohol for a minimum of 48 hours following your surgery as this can affect the blood clotting

· You must avoid smoking until the surgical site has fully healed as this will severely impair the healing.

· You must avoid exercise (running/gym/bending over) for the first 48 hours

When should I brush?

· It is just as important, if not more so, to keep your mouth clean after surgical implant placement. Clean your natural teeth as you normally would with your regular toothbrush. I advise you to avoid brushing the implant for 48 hours thereafter be as gentle as you can around the surgical site but do try and keep to 2 times a day for 2 minutes. If you can see a metal button on your gum, it is important to brush this gently to keep it clean.

I am in pain, what should I take?

· It is normal to experience pain in the area for 7-10 days following your surgical procedure, and in most cases taking pain relief that you would normally take for a headache should be enough to minimise the discomfort. It is important to take painkillers in a routine regime, not just as/when pain returns. Always read the instructions on the medication packet to know how often you can take them.