Guidance on How to Care for Your Dental Implant the First Days After Your Procedure

When choosing a tooth replacement option that will replace the missing tooth’s root and preserve the jawbone over time, there is no better choice than a dental implant, as offered by Drs. Geomel Bebing, Harun Ayouby, and the team at Signature Smiles Dental in Riverside, California. Signature Smiles Dental is a preferred dental practice in the Riverside area for patients seeking a safe and effective dental implant experience. While the procedure itself is important, the knowledge imparted by Drs. Bebing and Ayouby to patients on caring for their dental implant immediately following the procedure is equally important. Here is some guidance on what you can do when facing various post-op issues.

Bleeding

Experiencing minor bleeding immediately following your implant procedure is normal. There is no need to panic. If you do experience bleeding, an easy step you can take is to take a clean piece of gauze and fold it, biting gently but firmly down onto it. You will likely walk out of the dental office with this already in place, so, if necessary, replace it with clean gauze after an hour if still needed. You do not want to change the gauze too often, which could remove the blood clot and stimulate further bleeding. You may experience mild spotting anywhere from 24 to 48 hours after the procedure has been completed. If bleeding continues or becomes more intense, please reach out to your dentist.

Caring for Your Wound

For the first 48 hours, you must do your best not to disturb the site of the implant. Any aggressive spitting, rinsing, or using a straw could create suction or pressure, which dislodges the blood clot and lead to more bleeding. While you can brush your other teeth, avoid brushing at the site of the implant. Instead, gently rinse with a warm saline rinse or water and gently let it fall out of your mouth (no aggressive spitting). Rinse gently after each meal for 2 weeks following the procedure.

Swelling and Bruising

Swelling and bruising are normal and can look worse after 48 hours and last up to a week or more. Apply a cold compress to the cheek adjacent to the implant side for the first 48 hours. If swelling persists after 48 hours, switch to heat. Bruising can become more noticeable after 3 days, which is also expected.

To schedule an appointment with Drs. Bebing and Ayouby, please call (951) 450-0258.