HOME CARE AFTER YOUR DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY- INTEGRATIVE APPROACH BY DR. STELLA OH

You just had your dental implant placed. So how do you take care of yourself and the treated area well so that you can heal quickly and feel great? Here are the tips and instructions by Dr. Stella Oh with an integrative approach to what to expect after dental implant surgery.

Immediately After Dental Implant Surgery for 24 hours

• DO Take Painkillers such as NSAID (Advil/ibuprofen/motrin) provided you have no stomach, kidney, bleeding or hearing problems and your physician allows it. Total of 400-600 mg (2-3 tablets) every 4-6 hours or 2 Tabs of Tylenol in case of sensitivity to NSAIDS
• DO NOT bite into anything on the surgical side
• DO NOT eat anything until the numbness wears off. ( you could chew your cheek or tongue)
• DO NOT smoke – Smoking is detrimental to healing after surgery.
• DO NOT pull or play with the sutures
• If Antibiotics are prescribed, start taking antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor as it is very important especially for people prone to infection from surgery
• Apply ice 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off until you go to sleep. To relieve pain after dental implant continue applying ice the following day if you have pain and warmth – Reduces Swelling and pain.
• DO NOT rinse or spit as these actions will increase bleeding
• DO NOT brush until the morning after the surgery.
• Eat soft, bland, cool or room temperature food and drinks. (protein shakes, yogurt, soup)
• If the surgical site is bleeding, take a wet, cool tea bag and apply to the affected area with light pressure or bite down ( Dr. Oh’s tip: place a dry black tea bag in a cold water for a couple of minutes and place onto the area for a few minutes. )
• Rest if possible.
  
  

2-3 DAYS AFTER THE DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY

• Rinse twice a day with ¼ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces (1 full glass) of warm water (too much salt can burn the tissues)
• Begin brushing normally in non-operative areas
• Continue eating soft foods
• Swelling may be present even after 2-3 days
  
  

3 DAYS AFTER THE SURGERY

• If Peridex is prescribed, start rinsing twice a day with Peridex starting the 3rd day. Otherwise, keep rinsing with salt water.
• Continue brushing normally but to not brush the treated area.
• Sometimes Dr. Oh provides a disposable irrigation syringe to keep the area clean with salt water mix as above.
• Begin eating normally on the non-operative side (unless you have special instructions by your doctor)
• Instructions to care for the area is the same for the next week or 2
  
  

1 WEEK AFTER THE DENTAL SURGERY

Our Doctors will examine and clean the surgical area and remove the sutures. You may have to wait a couple of months to have the implant(s) restored with a crown.

Dr. Stella Oh will recommend cleaning instructions for you depending on the procedure. You should continue to keep the area always clean and healthy. Soon enough, you will be on your way to having a beautiful, healthy implant supported teeth!

No hot, spice and irritating food is recommended. Remember, your nutrition going forward will also help you heal faster and feel better in no time! Please do check with your doctor when taking certain medications or food due to underlying condition.

Thank you for reading and please contact us if you have any questions or to make an appointment!