How to care for your dental implants during postoperative period

With the advance of techniques in implant surgery, such as virtual guided surgery and immediate load implantology, postoperative recovery is increasingly faster, there is less discomfort and the patient enjoys the result, fixed teeth, from the first day.

However, there are some tips that patients can follow to take care of their dental implants after surgery that will help not only to get through these days almost unnoticed, but also to increase the chances of implant success in the medium and long term.

1. Do not eat any solid food until the anesthesia has worn off and the numbness of the mouth has disappeared. This will prevent self-injury to the tongue and lip, as they will remain numb for a few hours, three to four hours.
2. Slight bleeding may occur in the hours following the procedure. In this case, apply gauze with light pressure on the gum until the bleeding stops. It is normal that some blood may come out within 48 hours after the operation. If it does not stop, you should contact your dental professional or go to a medical center.
3. In some cases fever also appears within 72 hours after surgery. Controlling the temperature and taking a paracetamol may be enough, but if it does not go down within 24 hours you should consult your trusted professional.
4. If inflammation appears, apply cold on the face, in the external area where the implant is located. An anti-inflammatory or an analgesic will help if there is discomfort. If there is hematoma you can apply products such as Thrombocid© Forte or similar.
5. During the first days after surgery, follow a cold soft diet. Avoid very crunchy foods, hard or with small seeds, and hot foods.
6. Avoid smoking before and after surgery. The most advisable thing to do is to stop smoking. But if this is not possible, try to stop smoking for at least two weeks before and eight weeks after surgery.
7. Do not drink alcohol, tea or other foods with intense staining in the days after the operation. If you can, avoid them as much as possible while you have implants.
8. Maintain good dental hygiene, following the advice provided by your dentist.
9. Avoid brushing the implant area the day after the operation. In the following days, brush gently with a brush suitable for the situation, soft or post-surgical.
10. Complete the cleaning with a specific mouthwash for your case, following the dentist’s recommendations. If indicated, it will be necessary to do it for a maximum of two weeks.
11. Do not touch the implant area with your fingers or tongue.
12. The day after surgery, open and close your mouth gently several times a day to avoid stiffness.
13. Drink plenty of water to hydrate.
14. Sleep with your head as elevated as possible, and do not lie on the side of the implant. It may also be interesting to place a towel on the pillow to avoid soiling it during the night.

Although this is a complete list of advice, in the case that your intervention has been guided surgery your recovery will be quick and practically without discomfort, since it is performed almost without incision in the gum. If immediate loading is also performed, in addition to the tips on the list, you should follow a soft diet (everything that can be crumbled with your fingers) during the first three months.

In any case, if you have any doubts or unexpected symptoms, consult your dentist as soon as possible.