Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.
A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by first rinsing or wiping any old clots from your mouth, then placing a moistened gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for 30 minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps to form a clot by contracting bleeding vessels. To minimize further bleeding, do not become excited, sit upright, and avoid exercise. If bleeding does not subside, call for further instructions.
The swelling that is normally expected is usually proportional to the surgery involved. Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes and sides of the face is not uncommon. This is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and eventual repair. The swelling will not become apparent until the day following surgery and will not reach its maximum until two to three days post-operatively. However, the swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs. Two plastic bags filled with ice, or ice packs should be applied to the sides of the face where surgery was performed. The ice packs should be left on continuously while you are awake. After 36 hours, ice has no beneficial effect. If swelling or jaw stiffness has persisted for several days, there is no cause for alarm. This is a normal reaction to surgery. Thirty-six hours following surgery, the application of moist heat to the sides of the face is beneficial in reducing the size of the swelling.
After general anesthetic or IV sedation, liquids should be initially taken. This will prevent dehydration. Do not use straws for the first two weeks. Drink from a glass. The sucking motion can cause more bleeding by dislodging the blood clot. Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. Temperature of the food doesn’t matter, but avoid extremely hot and spicy foods. It is sometimes advisable, but not required, to confine the first day’s input to bland liquids and pureed foods (creamed soups, puddings, yogurt, milk shakes, etc.) Avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc., that may get lodged in the socket areas. Over the next several days you can progress to solid foods at your own pace. It is important not to skip meals! If you are a diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits as much as possible and follow instructions from us, or your physician, regarding your insulin schedule. Depending on the dental implant procedure performed, a soft diet may be prescribed by Dr. Jachimowicz for several months. This is done on a case-by-case basis.
Unfortunately, most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. Dr. Jachimowicz uses long acting local anesthesia on his patients, allowing them enough time to get comfortable. Effects of pain medications vary widely among individuals. You may be given a prescription for pain medication, and if you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off completely, you will be able to manage any discomfort better. If a narcotic pain medicine is prescribed by Dr. Jachimowicz, it is important not to take the pain medication on an empty stomach as this will cause nausea. If you do not have any contra indications to taking ibuprofen or Tylenol, most dental surgical pain may be alleviated with a regimen of Tylenol (1000mg) and ibuprofen (600mg). These medicines can be taken alternately every 3 hours. This treatment has many advantages including decreasing postoperative nausea, decreasing swelling after surgery and avoidance to the drowsiness associated with narcotic pain medication. Remember that the most severe discomfort is usually within the first six hours after the anesthetic wears off, after that your need for medicine should lessen.
For severe pain, take the tablets prescribed as directed. The prescribed pain medicine will make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.
Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it. Antibiotics If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the tablets or liquid as directed. Antibiotics may be given to help prevent infection. Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash or other unfavorable reaction. Call the office if you have any questions. Oral Hygiene Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The night of surgery, use the Oral Rinse provided by the office before bed. The day after surgery, the rinse should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem after the gums heal. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas. Activity Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are involved in regular exercise, be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get light headed, stop exercising. Remember, no exercise the first week. You can return to your normal activities after the first week as you seem fit. Wearing your Prosthesis Some prostheses can be used immediately after dental implant surgery. Others are not recommended. Dr. Jachimowicz will fully discuss all of your treatment options in the pre-operative consultation. He will do everything he can to get you a tooth replacement as quickly as possible, usually the same day as the dental implant surgery.