Advice Following Dental Implants

Following this advice will encourage wound healing.

For the first 24 hours:

Do not rinse your mouth out.
Do not take alcohol or smoke immediately post operatively.
Gently brush other teeth.
Food and drink may be taken, but with obvious care. Avoid anything too hot. Eat soft foods.
If painkillers have not been prescribed, take Paracetamol or Nurofen as described on the packet.
If antibiotics have been prescribed, take them at regular intervals and complete the course.
Spend the day quietly at home.

After 24 hours:

Use regular mouthwashes (ie a teaspoon of salt in a glass of hot water) for the first 3-4 days, particularly after food.
The following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal:
The face on the operated side may swell considerably.
There may be stiffness of the joint muscle making it difficult to open the mouth.
A sore throat may develop.
Teeth adjacent to the operation site may ache or feel tender for a short time.
If the corners of your mouth have been stretched during surgery, they may dry and crack. Apply Vaseline to keep them moistened.
If a stitch has been used, it will dissolve away in a few weeks.
Occasionally, there may be an area of prolonged numbness at the corner of the mouth or side of the tongue. Care must be taken not to burn or bite the lip or tongue.

If you have any problems, or are concerned in any way, please telephone The Wentworth Clinic on: 01202 428773, or 01202 422171, for advice.