Bleeding After Dental Implants

Controlling & Preventing Bleeding After Dental Implants

When you get dental implants, you may need to undergo two separate procedures: the surgical implantation of titanium rods into your jawbone to create tooth roots and the attachment of prosthetic teeth or dental crowns to replace your missing teeth. You may have to wait for your gums and jawbone to heal around the implants before you can undergo the second procedure.

During the healing process, it’s normal to experience some mild bleeding. This bleeding typically lasts between 48-72 hours, but if it is excessive, prolonged, or accompanied by other symptoms, you should contact your dentist right away. Your dentist will give you specific aftercare instructions that can help you reduce your risk of complications. You should also follow these tips for controlling and preventing bleeding after dental implants.

What Causes Bleeding After a Dental Implant?

The dental implant procedure includes cutting into your gum tissue and jaw bone. This can cause small amounts of blood in your saliva or mild active bleeding immediately after the procedure. This mild bleeding may last two or three days, and can be controlled by applying pressure and using conservative treatment methods.

Managing Post-Procedure Bleeding

You can manage bleeding, reduce pain and discomfort, and encourage the formation of a blood clot by biting down on gauze. Bite down on the gauze for 30 minutes at a time. If the bleeding continues, use a fresh piece of dampened gauze every three hours or so. You can also bite down on a wet caffeinated tea bag. Caffeinated tea contains tannic acid, which can constrict blood vessels and promote clotting.

Controlling Bleeding and Preventing Infection

In addition to using gauze and tea bags, you should also follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions carefully. You can control bleeding and reduce your risk of infection and other complications by:

• Avoiding strenuous activity
• Keeping your head elevated
• Taking antibiotics and pain medication as prescribed
• Rinsing your mouth out with warm salt water
• Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoiding directly brushing the implant areas
• Eating soft foods
• Avoiding hot foods or drinks
• Not using a straw or spitting
• Avoiding alcohol
• Not smoking or using tobacco products
• Watch for signs of infection, such as inflammation, swelling, fever, severe or worsening pain, and pus or discharge

What Is Normal When Healing From Implant Surgery?

If you have tried using gauze and tea bags and have followed your aftercare instructions carefully and you are still bleeding, or if bleeding persists for more than 72 hours after your procedure, you should contact your dentist right away for emergency dental care. You should also be aware of two possible complications from dental implants, which could cause excessive bleeding:

• Mucositis – Mucositis is a complication that causes inflammation and bleeding of the gums around the implant due to poor oral hygiene, excess plaque buildup, or excess dental cement. It is reversible and, when treated early enough, should not affect the health of your jawbone. The symptoms of mucositis are redness, swelling, and bleeding of the soft tissue around your implant.
• Peri-Implantitis – Peri-implantitis is an infection that can occur if mucositis is not treated. The symptoms include inflammation and bleeding, fever, pain when chewing or applying pressure, a loose implant, and bone deterioration.

Formation of a Blood Clot After Dental Implant Surgery

The formation of a blood clot over your healing abutment is normal during recovery. The blood clot protects you from excess bleeding and protects the soft tissues around the implant from infection and inflammation. You should prevent the clot from dislodging by avoiding vigorous rinsing of your mouth or spitting, using drinking straws, consuming hot foods or beverages, smoking or using nicotine products, participating in strenuous activity, and disturbing the clot with your tongue, fingers, toothbrush, or dental floss.

Is it Dangerous to Have Dental Implant Bleeding Months Later?

Bleeding around your dental implant months after placement is not normal and may be a sign of a problem. It could indicate infection or inflammation due to mucositis or peri-implantitis, or oral hygiene issues like gum disease. You should contact your dentist right away.

Schedule a Consultation With Xpress Dental

At Xpress Dental, we are committed to providing high-quality, personalized dental care in McAllen, TX. We have a team of highly skilled and experienced dental professionals who provide safe and effective solutions for missing teeth, including dental implants, dental crowns and bridges, and dentures. We will answer all your questions, explain the risks and benefits of each restorative dentistry procedure, and help you choose the one that is right for your needs. Our goal is to offer solutions that improve your oral health, restore your smile, and help you avoid the complications of missing teeth. Call us now or contact us online to schedule a consultation for dental implants.