Nosht
Post-operative

After Your Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implant surgery is a big procedure. Follow this guide closely to protect your implant and help it heal well.

6 min read

Urgent help: who to contact

Call 999 or go to A&E now if you find it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, if swelling spreads to your neck, under your tongue or around your eye, or if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction (such as swollen lips, tongue or throat).

Contact your implant dentist straight away if you have heavy bleeding that will not stop, severe pain that your prescribed medicine does not control, swelling that is quickly getting worse, a temperature above 38°C, or if the implant feels like it is moving. If your lip, chin or tongue is still numb 6 hours after surgery, call your implant dentist the same day: this needs checking urgently. If you cannot reach your practice, call NHS 111.

The First 24 Hours: The Most Important Time

The first 24 hours after implant surgery are vital. This is when a blood clot forms and healing starts. Please follow these instructions carefully.

  • Rest: go home and rest. Avoid hard physical activity for the rest of the day.
  • Bleeding: some oozing is normal for the first few hours. Bite gently but firmly on the gauze packs you were given. Change them every 30–45 minutes as needed. Light pink spit is normal for 24 hours.
  • Do not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours. This protects the blood clot forming around the implant.
  • Do not smoke. Smoking greatly increases the risk of the implant failing and of infection.
  • Do not touch the area with your tongue or fingers.
  • Keep your head raised when resting or sleeping. Use an extra pillow. This reduces swelling.
  • Ice packs: in the first 24 hours, hold an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for 15 minutes, then take it off for 15 minutes. This keeps swelling down.

Swelling and Bruising: What to Expect

Swelling after implant surgery is expected. It does not mean anything has gone wrong.

  • Swelling is usually worst on day 2 or 3. It then slowly goes down over 5–7 days.
  • You may get bruising on your face, neck or cheek. This is normal and will fade over 1–2 weeks.
  • After the first 24 hours, switch from ice packs to warm packs on your face. Use them for 10–15 minutes, several times a day, to help bring down any swelling that is left.
  • If swelling is getting worse after day 4 or is spreading fast, contact your dental team. This may be a sign of infection.

Pain Relief and Medicines

Take pain relief early. Do not wait until the numbness has fully worn off and the pain is bad.

  • Take any prescribed medicine exactly as directed. If you were prescribed antibiotics, take them for the full number of days you were told to, even if you feel better. Do not stop early unless your dental team tells you to.
  • Paracetamol (adults): take 500mg to 1g (1 or 2 × 500mg tablets). Leave at least 4 hours between doses. Do not take more than 4g (8 × 500mg tablets) in 24 hours. If you weigh less than 50kg, you may need a lower dose. Ask a pharmacist.
  • Ibuprofen (adults): take 200mg to 400mg up to 3 times a day, with or after food. Leave at least 4 hours between doses. Do not take more than 1,200mg in 24 hours, unless your dentist or doctor has prescribed a different dose.
  • You can take paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time, or spread them out through the day. Never take more than the daily maximum of either.
  • Do not take paracetamol with other medicines that contain paracetamol, unless your dental team or doctor has told you to. These include co-codamol, co-dydramol and cold and flu remedies. Taking both can cause an accidental overdose.
  • Check with a pharmacist, dentist or doctor before you take ibuprofen if you have asthma, have had a stomach ulcer, have heart, kidney or liver problems, take blood-thinning medicines, or are pregnant.
  • Children: use children's paracetamol or ibuprofen. Give the dose on the packet or leaflet for your child's age (and weight, if given). Ask a pharmacist if you are not sure. Ibuprofen may not be suitable if your child has asthma.
  • Do not take aspirin for pain. It thins the blood and may make you bleed more. If your doctor has prescribed a daily low-dose aspirin or any other blood thinner, do not stop it. Keep taking it as normal unless your doctor or dentist tells you otherwise.
  • If you were given prescription pain relief, take it as directed. Painkillers with codeine in them (such as co-codamol) can make you sleepy. Do not drive or use machines if you feel sleepy. It is against the law to drive if a medicine affects your driving. Avoid alcohol while you take them.

Eating, Drinking and Keeping Clean

Food and drink:

  • Eat only soft foods for the first 2 weeks. For example: yoghurt, mashed potato, scrambled eggs, soup (not too hot), soft fish, avocado and smoothies.
  • Avoid hard, crunchy, chewy or sticky foods around the implant for at least 6–8 weeks, or as your dental team advises.
  • Do not chew directly on the implant until your dental team confirms it has joined to the bone (osseointegration).
  • Avoid very hot food or drinks for the first 24 hours.
  • Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours, and while you take antibiotics.
  • Do not use a straw for the first 48 hours.

Keeping your mouth clean:

  • Do not rinse on the day of surgery.
  • From day 2, rinse gently with warm salty water after every meal. Use half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Keep doing this for 2 weeks.
  • If you were prescribed a chlorhexidine (antiseptic) mouthwash, use it as directed.
  • Brush your other teeth as normal, but keep away from the implant for the first week. After that, start cleaning around it very gently with a soft toothbrush.
  • Do not use an electric toothbrush near the implant for the first 2 weeks.

Things You Must Avoid

These things can seriously harm the way your implant bonds with the bone (integration). They may make the implant fail:

  • Smoking: implants fail much more often in people who smoke. Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks before and after surgery. Ideally, stop for good.
  • Alcohol for at least 48 hours.
  • Hard exercise for 48–72 hours. Raised blood pressure can cause bleeding and upset healing.
  • Flying, if your dental team has told you not to fly (this matters after a sinus lift).
  • Blowing your nose hard, if you also had a sinus lift when the implant was placed.
  • Removing or lifting the dressing over the wound, if one was placed.
  • Wearing a removable denture over the surgery area, unless your dental team has said you can.

When to Contact Your Implant Dentist

Contact your implant dentist or practice straight away if you have:

  • Heavy bleeding that does not stop with 30–60 minutes of pressure
  • Severe pain that prescribed painkillers or ones from a pharmacy or shop do not control
  • Swelling that is getting worse after day 4
  • A temperature above 38°C
  • An implant that feels loose or seems to move
  • Pus or discharge from the wound
  • Numbness in your lip, chin or tongue that lasts beyond 6 hours. Call the same day, as this needs checking urgently.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if you find it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, or if swelling spreads to your neck, under your tongue or around your eye. For other urgent problems, contact your dental practice. If it is closed, call NHS 111.

This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. Your dental team will discuss your individual circumstances and any risks specific to you. Treatment outcomes vary between patients depending on individual circumstances.

Sources

Links checked 18 October 2026.

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