Advice for Oral Surgery in Carlsbad

After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the surgical site. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the area on the day of surgery. The day after surgery, we recommend gentle rinsing with warm salt water to help soothe the tissues and allow optimal healing.

Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Direct pressure by biting on a gauze pad will decrease the bleeding. Extra gauze will be given to you after surgery to take home to switch out every 1-2 hours until the bleeding stops. If bleeding is uncontrollable and is not slowing down after 24 hours, please call for further instructions.

Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice to the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply ice continuously for as long as possible during the first 24-48 hours, as needed.

Diet
You should be drinking 1-2 liters of water a day after surgery. Avoid hot liquids or hot food. The day of surgery, your diet should consist mostly of fluids and soft, cold foods. It is recommended to stick to a soft diet for 1-2 weeks after surgery to allow tissue to heal without disruption.

Pain
You should begin taking pain medication before the local anesthetic wears off. Most patients will receive Percocet or Vicodin for severe pain control, as well as ibuprofen to keep inflammation down. We recommend that when you get home, get a little food in your stomach and take one tablet of the narcotic medicine. Three hours later, you may take the ibuprofen. Three hours after that, you may take another narcotic tablet. Alternating like this throughout the first day after surgery, every 3 hours, will provide optimal pain control and keep you comfortable. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should gradually subside each day. If pain persists, it may require attention, and you should call the office.

Antibiotics
If given antibiotics, please take them as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The day after surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse 2-3 times daily. You should also be rinsing with warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) 2-3 times a day. All rinsing should be performed gently and without spitting. Once you are finished rinsing,, you should lean forward over the sink and let the liquid fall out of your mouth without spitting. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds. Brush your teeth and the healing abutments if they are placed. Be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas.

Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur due to increased heart rate. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not getting adequate 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; wait at least 10 days, unless otherwise directed during the pre-operative consultation.