Gum Grafting Recovery
For people with receding gums, their dentist may recommend a gum grafting procedure to restore functionality, protect exposed tooth roots, or to improve appearances. While the surgical procedures used in gum grafting can be somewhat uncomfortable to recover from, there are several steps that can be taken to ensure the patient remains as comfortable as possible after surgery.
Tips for Recovering from Gum Grafting Surgery
There are three methods for performing gum grafting procedures: free gingival grafts, connective tissue grafts, and pedicle grafts. While the techniques have some clear differences, all are performed while the patient is under local anesthetic and are therefore painless. After surgery, the following tips can help the patient recover as comfortably, and quickly, as possible:
Use Antibiotics: Because a wound is created because of the surgery, infections, while rare, are possible. In order to prevent any infection from setting in, patients may be prescribed a course of antibiotics by their doctor.
Request a Palatal Stent: Some of the gum grafting techniques use tissue removed from the patient’s palate (roof of the mouth). If the patient’s own tissue is used, rather than tissue from a donor, the roof of the mouth will need to heal after surgery. Unless the dentist has already offered one, patients could benefit by requesting a stent to protect the roof of the mouth as it heals. Stents can help minimize bleeding, keep the area clear from food particles until the sutures (stitches) are removed, and speed up the process of healing.
Ice: Bruising and swelling of the face could result from the surgery. In order to minimize swelling and discomfort as the site of the graft, ice packs should be used as soon as the patient leaves the dentist’s office. Ice packs should be repeatedly used on and off every 20 minutes throughout the day for maximum effect.
Pain Medications: Most patients will find that an over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, will be effective in resolving any pain or discomfort. Blood thinning pain medicines containing acetaminophen should be avoided as they can exacerbate any bleeding.
Avoid Cold and Hot Foods: Following surgery, patients should avoid eating or drinking anything excessively cold or hot as these can aggravate the wound and lead to swelling. Instead, try consuming things that are more room temperature.
Stick to a Liquid Diet at First: Because there can be some pain after the grafting procedure, sticking to a diet of mild soups or stews can be a way to avoid irritation in the teeth and gums.
Eat Soft Foods: Once you have healed to the point that you feel comfortable enough to resume eating foods, eating softer foods can be helpful. Soft foods like bananas, eggs, oatmeal, or mashed potatoes, are ideal examples of foods that can minimize aggravation to the surgical site. Most patients find that they will want to adhere to softer foods for at least the first week but may need to go longer depending on how the palate and gums are healing.
Maintain a Sound Oral Hygiene Practice: Patients can continue to brush their teeth but should avoid brushing the site of the gum graft after surgery. Until the mouth is fully healed, flossing should be avoided for a couple of weeks. The dentist may provide a special mouthwash that can be used to keep the mouth clean.
Get Adequate Rest: The body heals best when it has plenty of rest. If a patient get as much sleep as possible, their recovery time will likely be on the faster end of the spectrum.
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