Your personal instructions come first.
Use this page as a reminder of the guidance you received in the office. If anything here differs from the directions provided by your dentist, follow your dentist’s directions and call us with questions.
Rest, Bleeding, and Swelling
- Rest for the first 24–48 hours and avoid strenuous activity that can restart bleeding.
- Bite on gauze as directed. For persistent oozing, a damp black tea bag may be used with gentle pressure.
- Use a cold compress in 10-minute intervals to limit swelling and bruising.
- Pain often peaks around 72 hours; take only the medications prescribed or recommended by your clinical team.
Protect the Surgical Site
- Do not smoke, use a straw, or spit forcefully because suction can disturb the clot or graft.
- Begin prescribed chlorhexidine rinse the day after surgery and use warm saltwater rinses if instructed.
- Brush carefully as healing progresses and keep a water flosser away from the surgical site until cleared.
- Do not lift the lip or cheek to inspect sutures, and attend the scheduled suture-removal or healing visit.
Eating and Implant Care
Choose soft foods such as nutritional shakes, yogurt, mashed potatoes, eggs, and pasta. Avoid spicy foods, seeds, shells, chips, popcorn, alcohol, and carbonated drinks. Do not chew on a newly placed implant; a soft diet is generally recommended for the first six weeks unless your surgeon provides different instructions.
Call the office for heavy bleeding, increasing swelling, severe pain, fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or any symptom that concerns you. Call 911 for a medical emergency.
Call Us If
- Bleeding is heavy or continues despite firm gauze pressure.
- Pain or swelling sharply increases after it had started to improve, or you develop fever or foul drainage.
- An implant component or temporary tooth feels loose, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing.