Aftercare for Dental Implant Placement: What to Know

Getting a dental implant is a big step toward restoring your smile. While the implant itself is designed to last for many years, how you care for it in the first few days and weeks can make a big difference in how well it heals. Aftercare isn’t complicated—but it does matter.

Here’s what you need to know once you head home from your appointment.

Right After Surgery: Take It Easy

You’ll want to rest the day of your procedure. It’s normal to experience mild swelling, tenderness, or minor bleeding. Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek for 15-minute intervals to help with swelling. Avoid touching the implant site with your tongue or fingers.

Stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies for the first few days. Avoid drinking through a straw or eating anything crunchy or spicy, as this can irritate the area or disrupt healing.

Oral Hygiene is Still Important

You can brush your other teeth gently the night of your procedure, but avoid the implant area for at least 24 hours. After that, you can begin gently cleaning the area with a soft toothbrush. Rinsing with warm salt water a few times a day can also help soothe your gums and reduce bacteria.

Just don’t swish too hard—gentle is the name of the game for the first week.

Avoid Smoking and Intense Activity

Smoking significantly increases the risk of implant failure. If you smoke, this is the perfect time to take a break—or quit altogether. Also avoid heavy lifting or intense workouts for a few days, as increased blood flow can interfere with healing.

Implant Follow-Up Care in Indian Trail, NC at Pleasant Plains Dental

At Pleasant Plains Dental in Indian Trail, NC, Dr. Henry J. Ernst, Dr. Paul Kim, and Dr. Nikhil Alaigh guide patients through every stage of the implant process. From placement to restoration, we’re here to make sure your implant heals well and functions like it should.

Have questions during recovery? Don’t guess—reach out. We’re happy to walk you through what’s normal, what’s not, and what to expect next.

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Image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0