Your implant recovery guide

🦷 What to Expect After Surgery:

• Mild swelling around gums and face for 2–3 days

• Minor bleeding or oozing for the first 24 hours

• Discomfort or soreness near the implant site, manageable with medication

• Temporary diet changes required to protect the healing area

🛡️ Immediate Aftercare (First 24–48 Hours):

• Bite gently on gauze pads to control bleeding. Change gauze every 30–45 minutes.

• Apply ice packs on the cheek (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) for swelling.

• Rest and elevate your head while sleeping to minimize swelling and bleeding.

• Avoid rinsing, spitting, or using a straw — it can dislodge the blood clot.

• Limit talking and physical activity to allow proper healing.

🥣 Diet:

• First 24–48 Hours:
  Stick to cool, soft foods like yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, cold soups, and pudding.

• Next Few Days:
  Gradually move to warm (not hot), soft foods like steamed vegetables, pasta, scrambled eggs.

• Avoid:
  Crunchy, spicy, hot, sticky, or hard foods until your dentist says it’s okay.

💊 Medications:

• Take prescribed painkillers and antibiotics exactly as directed.

• Do not skip doses, even if you are feeling better.

• Avoid aspirin unless prescribed, as it can increase bleeding.

🪥 Oral Hygiene:

• First Day:
  Do not brush around the surgical site.

• Second Day Onwards:

  • Gently brush your other teeth.

  • Rinse mouth very gently with warm saltwater (¼ teaspoon salt in 1 glass water) 3–4 times a day, especially after meals.

  • Avoid commercial mouthwashes unless advised by your dentist.

🚫 What to Avoid:

• Smoking or vaping (delays healing significantly)

• Alcohol consumption

• Heavy lifting, intense workouts

• Touching the implant area with fingers or tongue

• Hot foods and drinks for 48 hours

• Water flossers, flossing and handling the area and the implant

🗓️ Follow-Up Care:

• Attend all post-operative appointments as scheduled.

• Sutures (if placed) may dissolve or be removed in 7–14 days.

• Your dentist will monitor the implant's integration with the bone (osseointegration).

⚠️ When to Contact the Clinic:

• Persistent bleeding after 24 hours

• Severe pain not relieved by medication

• Sudden swelling after the third day

• Fever or signs of infection

• Implant feels loose

✨ Patience is key — full healing and integration of a dental implant typically takes 3–6 months (up to 8 months. Your cooperation and good care will ensure a long-lasting, successful implant!