After Implant Placement
Brookfield, IL
 Congratulations, you just got your dental implants placed, and now have the most advanced tooth replacement available! We are excited for you to start experiencing life with your new implant, but first there are a few things you should do. Brookfield Oral Surgery has prepared this handy guide on what to expect after getting your implants placed. Keep in mind that every patient’s needs are unique, so the following guidelines are just general recommendations. After your treatment, we may end up giving you some different instructions based on your particular needs.
What to Expect Immediately After Placement
Following placement, you should experience only mild discomfort. You will continue to bleed for the first few hours after the procedure but it should never be severe. Still, it is especially important that you take it easy. Do not plan on doing anything too physical or strenuous, even standing up too fast can aggravate your new implant. You can expect some swelling, which will increase in the days following the procedure. You may be provided with pain relief medication, and if so we will give you instructions on usage along with the medication. Otherwise, over the counter pain relief should be more than sufficient. The first couple days after the placement will be the most uncomfortable, but following that you should start to quickly improve.
How to Care for Your Implants and Mouth
It is absolutely critical that you continue to maintain your oral hygiene and keep your mouth as clean as possible. Unless we tell you differently, you can brush your teeth the same night of the procedure, though you should avoid rinsing. Avoid brushing the site of the implant and be gentle when brushing the rest of your teeth. It is very important that you do not smoke, as this can negatively impact the healing process. In the days following the procedure, it is important that you rinse your mouth multiple times a day using salt water. Stay away from conventional mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide.
What Can You Eat and Drink?
On the day of the surgery, you should stick to liquids and very soft foods only, ideally cold ones. Anything hot, spicy, carbonated, or alcoholic can aggravate the implant. Some of the best (and tastiest!) options include ice cream, yogurt, smoothies, and some soups. Do not use straws and avoid swishing liquid on or near the extraction site. Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water, since you can become dehydrated more easily. Once the numbness from the local anesthesia has faded, you can eat real foods again, but continue to stick with soft foods. Pasta, eggs, and cooked vegetables are all good options. In about a week to a week and a half, you can resume eating all of your favorite foods again.
Questions?
If you experience persistent discomfort after the first week or so, continue bleeding, start running an excessively high fever, or are otherwise concerned about your recovery, call us immediately at 708-854-0808. |
