If you’re interested in getting dental implants in Lexington from Palmetto Dental Associates, you may be wondering what to expect after your surgery. While modern dental implant surgery is minimally invasive, it will still cause some bleeding, swelling, and discomfort.
But what’s normal? How much can you expect to bleed after your treatment? Read on and get all the answers you need. We’ll discuss postoperative bleeding and how you can stay comfortable and reduce bleeding after your dental implant surgery.
Bleeding Is Completely Normal For Up To 24 Hours After Your Appointment
After Dr. Thomas or Dr. Shull finishes your surgical procedure, they will apply a moist gauze pack to your implant site. You’ll bite down firmly on this gauze pack, which will absorb blood. The pressure of biting down on the gauze will help with the formation of blood clots.
You may need to change this gauze pack a few times. You should switch it every 30-60 minutes, or if the pack becomes soaked with blood. After a few hours, bleeding should slow or stop completely.
However, you may still notice some intermittent bleeding for the next 24 hours, and your saliva may be slightly pink-tinged for a few days. This is nothing to worry about. If you notice significant bleeding up to 3-4 days after your surgery, though, you should contact Palmetto Dental Associates for a follow-up. This is not normal.
How To Reduce Bleeding After Dental Implants
Want to take some steps to reduce bleeding after dental implants? Here’s what you’ll need to do.
Keep your head elevated – For the next few days, keep your head and chest slightly elevated when you lie down. This will reduce bleeding and help you stay more comfortable.
Don't brush the implant site – You shouldn’t brush the implant site directly for at least a week. Brushing the site too soon can interfere with proper blood clot formation. To keep the implant site clean, you can use a prescription oral rinse or a salt water rinse.
Avoid hot foods and drinks – Hot foods and drinks can irritate the implant site, and may stimulate blood flow, making it more likely that your implant site will bleed. We recommend sticking to cold or lukewarm foods.
Rest and avoid exercise for a few days – Heavy exercise increases blood flow throughout your body, which can lead to bleeding after implant surgery. Take at least 2-3 days off of exercise after your surgery.
Eat a soft diet and avoid crunchy or hard foods – Hard or crunchy foods can poke and jab at your implant site, and cause discomfort or bleeding. You should eat a diet of mostly liquid and soft foods for about a week after your surgery.
Interested In Dental Implants in Lexington? Contact Palmetto Dental Associates!
At Palmetto Dental Associates, Dr. Thomas and Dr. Shull specialize in implant dentistry in Lexington, Irmo, and Columbia. If you’re missing one or more teeth and would like to restore your smile permanently, contact us online or give us a call at 803-808-0888. We’re always accepting new patients.