Post treatment care for dental implants

Your new teeth should be cleaned thoroughly, just as you would with your natural teeth, and visit us for regular check-ups and maintenance.

After dental implant treatment is completed, constant checks, cleaning and care for your new dental implant is still required. If you are unable to travel aboard to have your dental implant re-checks and cleaning done, you are able to have your normal bi-annual checkups done back home by your local dentist or implantologist. Post care instructions will be given to you after the dental implant treatment on how to care for your implant site.

Diet

• After surgery, eat nourishing semi-liquids food that can be eaten comfortably.
• Avoid extremely hot foods and liquid.
• Soft foods during the first 6 days is recommended in to avoiding food particles from contaminating the implant surgery site.
  
• After each meal, rinsed thoroughly with warm saline solution, half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, or mouthwash containing chlorhexidine.

Managing bleeding

• A gauze pack is normally given to you that is applied on the surgical site(s) to limit bleeding while clotting takes place.
• The gauze packs should be left in place for about 30 minutes after the implant surgery.
• Bite down softly on the gauze, making sure they remain in place.
• Continue to change the gauze packs every 30 minutes if there is continual bleeding.
• To replace gauze, fold a clean piece into a pad thick enough to bite on.
• Bleeding should never be severe. If the bleeding does not stop, please do contact us at BIDC.

Managing swelling

• Place covered ice packs or a cold compress applied for a period of half hour to the face over the surgery site to reduce any chance of swelling.
• Apply 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off.
• When lying down, elevate the head with an extra pillow during the first 2 nights after surgery to reduce swelling.

Managing pain

• The length of time whereby the numbness wears off will depending on the type and amount of anaesthetic received.
• While mouth is numb, do be careful not to bite on your cheek, lip or tongue.
• The numbness will subside within a few hours.
• Tablets for pain relief should be taken as necessary and according to any given instructions by your dentist.
• If pain persists, please contact us at BIDC.

Managing infection

• The mouth should be thoroughly rinsed with warm saline solution or mouthwash containing chlorhexidine after each meal to reduce the chance of infection.
• Place the solution in your mouth and gently rotate your head from side to side.
• Do not swish aggressively.
• Complete the course of antibiotics as prescribed according to the given instructions.

Healing

• After an implant placement, a blood clot forms in the surgical area that is a normal part of the healing process.
• Avoid activities that might disturb the surgical area.
• Do not rinse your mouth vigorously or probe the area with any objects or your fingers.
• Do not smoke or drink through a straw for 72 hours following your surgery as these activities create suction in the mouth, which could dislodge the clot and delay healing.
• Drink some fluids or use a wet washcloth and wipe your tongue, but please stay away from the surgical area.
• Avoid strenuous activity for the first 24 hours after your procedure. This will reduce bleeding and help the blood clot to form.
• Apply Vaseline or lanolin to the lips for the first two days to prevent lips from drying or cracking.
  

Oral Hygiene

• Begin your normal oral hygiene routine as soon as possible on day 2 or 3 after surgery.
• Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing of all areas, but do make every effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.