What not to do after implant placement: the first 14 days, day by day

Key points

• The first 24 hours matter most: no rinsing, no heat, no smoking, no touching the wound with your tongue, and sleep with your head raised.
• 2–3 days: swelling and bruising are normal, peaking on day two; soft warm food, a prescribed pain reliever, and brushing around the wound.
• Up to 14 days: no sauna, sports, alcohol or hard food on the surgery side; stitches come out on day 7–10.
• Call the doctor if: pain worsens after day 3, bleeding does not stop within 30 minutes, temperature is above 38°C, swelling grows after day 3, or numbness has not gone by evening.

The day of surgery

The anaesthetic wears off in 2–4 hours. While it is still active, don't eat: it is easy to bite your cheek or tongue without feeling it. After that:

Don't rinse. A clot forms in the socket — it protects the wound and starts healing. Rinsing washes it out.

Don't apply heat. No heating pads or warm compresses. Cold is fine: 15 minutes through a cloth, 15 minutes off, for the first 3–4 hours. This reduces swelling.

Don't smoke or drink alcohol. Smoking narrows blood vessels and dislodges the clot; alcohol dilates vessels and increases bleeding, and does not mix with the pain reliever or the antibiotic.

Don't touch the wound with your tongue, finger or a toothpick. Don't check whether the implant is 'still there.'

Food — once the anaesthetic has worn off: warm, soft, on the other side. Yoghurt, pureed soup, porridge, an omelette. Nothing hot.

Pain relief — as prescribed; it is best to take the first tablet before the anaesthetic fully wears off.

Sleep — with the pillow raised, to reduce blood flow to the face.

A small amount of bleeding in the first few hours is normal. If bleeding is active, bite down on sterile gauze for 20–30 minutes. If it does not stop within half an hour, call the clinic.

Days 2–3: swelling and bruising

Swelling is normal; it peaks on the second day, then subsides. Bruising on the cheek or under the eye can happen too, especially with upper-jaw surgery, and clears within a week. A temperature up to 37.5°C is acceptable in the first two days.

Brushing your teeth — yes, from the first evening, with a soft brush, avoiding the surgical area. Clean neighbouring teeth mean fewer bacteria near the wound.

Rinsing — from day two, if the doctor prescribed an antiseptic: not swishing, but holding it in the mouth and spitting it out.

Food — still soft and warm. Coffee is fine, not hot. Dairy is fine.

Don't bend over or lift heavy objects — extra blood flow to the head increases swelling and can trigger bleeding.

Don't fly — for the first 2 weeks after a sinus lift, because of pressure changes; there is no restriction for ordinary implant placement.

Days 4–7: back to normal life

The swelling goes away and pain is barely noticeable. You can work, go for walks, and drive. Still off-limits:

sauna, steam room, or a hot bath — until the stitches are removed;

strenuous sports and swimming — for 10–14 days;

smoking — for at least 2 weeks (there is a separate article on this);

chewing hard food on the surgery side — until the stitches are removed.

Stitches come out on day 7–10 — a 5-minute procedure, no anaesthetic needed.

Days 8–14: almost everything is allowed

Once the stitches are out, the gum is closed. You can gradually return to normal food, sports and the sauna. The one thing that stays off-limits for months is loading the implant: if a healing abutment or a temporary crown is in place, don't bite down on hard food with it. The implant takes 2–6 months to integrate, and it is best left undisturbed the whole time.

When to call right away

pain gets worse after the third day instead of easing;

swelling grows after the third day, or reappears;

bleeding that does not stop after 30 minutes of pressure;

a temperature above 38°C, or one that lasts more than two days;

numbness in the lip or chin that has not gone by the evening of the surgery day;

an unpleasant smell or taste from the wound;

the implant or healing abutment feels loose or has come out.

Call or message the clinic on WhatsApp (contact details on the site). During working hours (Mon–Fri 10:00–20:00, Sat 11:00–18:00) you will be seen the same day. [About after-hours contact — pending the clinic's answer.]

If a temporary denture was fitted (All-on-4/5)

A temporary denture is light and not built for hard food. For the first few weeks: soft food (minced meat, fish, stewed vegetables, pasta), no nuts, crackers or whole apples. Clean the denture with a brush and a water flosser, without removing it. If something is uncomfortable or rubs, don't tough it out — come in for an adjustment; that is a normal part of this stage.

Related services and guides

• Dental implants in Astana

Frequently asked questions

Can I drink coffee?

From day two, not hot.

When can I drink alcohol?

After finishing the antibiotic course and having the stitches removed — at least a week.

Can I go to work the next day?

If the job involves no physical exertion, yes — the swelling will not get in the way.

How long does the swelling last?

It peaks on day 2 and clears by day 5–7.

Can I sleep on the surgery side?

Better not to, for the first 2–3 days — it increases swelling.