Eusebio Dental
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA
Surgery and Implants
Dental Implant Placement
Reduce swelling, protect the surgical area, and care for your implant while it heals.
Protect your new implant while it heals.
Your implant needs time to join with the bone. Gentle care now helps it stay healthy and stable.
What to Do Today
Bite on gauze for 30–60 minutes if there is bleeding.
Use ice: 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off.
Eat soft, cool foods. Chew on the other side.
Do not touch the implant or healing cap with your tongue or fingers.
Do not rinse hard, spit hard, smoke, vape, use a straw, or lift heavy things.
What to Expect Next
Tomorrow
Brush your teeth. Be very gentle near the implant.
Rinse gently with warm salt water after meals and before bed.
Do not aim a water flosser at the implant unless we tell you to.
Keep chewing on the other side.
Days 2-3
Swelling is often worst on Day 2 or 3.
Mild bruising and jaw soreness can be normal.
Continue soft foods and gentle cleaning.
A few tiny graft particles may come out if a graft was placed.
Days 4-7
Pain and swelling should start to improve.
Keep the implant area clean.
Do not chew hard food on the implant.
Keep any follow-up visit.
Later Healing
The implant may need several months to join with the bone.
Do not miss checkups, even if the area feels normal.
Do not place pressure on the implant until we say it is ready.
Pain Relief After Dental Treatment
Some soreness or tenderness is normal after dental treatment. Pain should generally become easier to manage as you heal.
Follow any instructions given specifically to you by your dentist. The information below is for adults and does not replace advice from your physician, pharmacist, or dentist.
For mild pain
Take one of the following, if it is safe for you:
Ibuprofen 400 mg every 6 hours as needed
ORAcetaminophen 500 mg every 6 hours as needed
Take ibuprofen with food and water.
For more discomfort
If our dentist has told you that both medicines are safe for you, you may take:
Ibuprofen 400 mg plus acetaminophen 500 mg together every 6 hours as needed.
The two medicines work differently and may provide better relief when taken together.
Use the lowest amount that controls your discomfort. Stop taking pain medicine when you no longer need it.
Daily limits
Unless a doctor or dentist has given you different instructions:
Do not take more than 2,400 mg of ibuprofen in 24 hours
Do not take more than 3,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours
Count acetaminophen from all medicines you take
Acetaminophen may also be listed as APAP and is found in many cold, flu, sleep, and prescription pain medicines. Do not take more than one acetaminophen-containing product unless a healthcare professional has confirmed that it is safe.
Do not combine ibuprofen with other anti-inflammatory pain medicines such as naproxen (Aleve) unless directed by a healthcare professional.
Check before taking ibuprofen
Do not take ibuprofen unless a physician, pharmacist, or dentist says it is safe if you:
Have kidney disease
Have a history of stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding
Take a blood thinner or certain antiplatelet medicines
Have been told to avoid aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines
Have an allergy or serious reaction to ibuprofen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs
Have certain heart conditions or uncontrolled high blood pressure
Are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
Do not use ibuprofen at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later unless specifically directed by your healthcare professional.
Check before taking acetaminophen
Do not take acetaminophen unless a physician, pharmacist, or dentist says it is safe if you:
Have liver disease
Regularly drink three or more alcoholic beverages per day
Take another medication containing acetaminophen or APAP
Have previously had an allergic or serious reaction to acetaminophen
Avoid alcohol while taking pain medicine.
Prescription medication
Take prescription medication only as directed. Do not take additional acetaminophen if your prescription already contains acetaminophen or APAP unless your dentist, physician, or pharmacist specifically tells you to do so.
Prescription pain medicine may cause sleepiness or slower reaction time. Do not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or combine it with sedatives unless your prescribing clinician says it is safe.
Call our office
Contact Eusebio Dental if:
Pain is severe or is not controlled by the recommended medicine
Pain becomes significantly worse after initially improving
Swelling continues to increase
You develop fever, pus, a foul taste, or other signs of infection
You have questions about which medication is safe for you
Call 911 for trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing, rapidly spreading swelling, chest pain, fainting, or signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Important
These instructions are intended for adults. Do not use these doses for children or adolescents unless a dentist, physician, or pharmacist provides instructions based on the patient’s age and weight.
Normal Healing
Mild bleeding the first day
Swelling for 2–3 days
Mild bruising
Jaw soreness
Mild pressure near the implant
A few small graft particles, if grafting was done
Slow improvement each day
You Might Be Wondering
Can I brush?
Yes. Brush every tooth. Be gentle near the implant.
Can I chew on the implant?
No. Chew on the other side until we say it is okay.
Is a little bleeding normal?
Yes. A small amount can be normal today.
Can small graft particles come out?
Yes. A few tiny particles can be normal if a graft was placed.
When can I exercise?
Avoid heavy lifting and hard exercise for 2–3 days.
Helpful Tips
Take pain medicine before the numbness wears off.
Keep extra gauze with you on the drive home.
Do not play with the healing cap using your tongue.
Sleep with an extra pillow tonight.
Most swelling is worst on Day 2 or 3.
Not sure about something? Call us.
Why This Matters
Gentle care helps the implant stay still.
Ice lowers swelling.
Soft foods reduce pressure on the implant.
Smoking slows healing and raises the risk of implant failure.
Clean teeth and gums lower the risk of infection.
Dental Implant Placement