Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may be a small tip (metal healing abutment) protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.

Bleeding

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 gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for thirty minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened tea bag for thirty 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.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

Pain

For mild to moderate pain, one or two tablets of Tylenol (500mg) or one Extra Strength Tylenol (1000mg) may be taken every three to four hours or Ibuprofen; (Motrin or Advil) two-four 200 mg tablets may be taken every 3-4 hours. You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. No rinsing of any kind should be performed until the day following surgery. You can brush your teeth the night of surgery but rinse gently. The day after surgery you should begin rinsing at least 3-4 times a day especially after eating with a cup of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing your prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least 10 days unless instructed specifically by Dr. Zaritsky differently. This was discussed in the pre-operative consultation. Failure to do so can cause your dental implant to fail.