Keeping your head elevated above your heart will also help. Most swelling can occur in the morning and up to 3 days after surgery. Avoid sleeping / laying on the side that surgery was performed. Two days after surgery, moist heat will help resolve minor swelling.
During a gum graft surgery, your periodontist will: Give you local anesthesia. This numbs your teeth and gums in that area. Many periodontists also offer sedation dentistry options for your comfort, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation.
Expect the 3rd or 4th day after the surgery to be the worst in swelling. Do not be alarmed if you have swelling at this time, it is normal. By the 5th day, the swelling should be down. For bruising and swelling you may go to any health food store (i.e. Whole Foods) and get some Arnica Montana.
It is common to experience some discomfort and swelling following your gum grafting procedure, but fortunately the recovery process is not long. Although most people can go back to work the next day or two following the procedure, it is important to avoid aerobic activity for at least one week.
You can resume 50% of your regular exercise regimen at one week after surgery and your normal routine 2 weeks after surgery. Avoid diving for a minimum of one month after surgery. Light walking is OK during the first week. Rest time may vary depending on the specific procedure performed.
Keeping your head elevated above your heart will also help. Most swelling can occur in the morning and up to 3 days after surgery. Avoid sleeping / laying on the side that surgery was performed. Two days after surgery, moist heat will help resolve minor swelling.
For the first two to three days after your gum grafting surgery, it's important to avoid talking.
This area takes one to two weeks to heal. While it's recommended that patients refrain from strenuous physical activity or exercise for 24 hours following the surgery, most patients find that they can return to their usual activities, such as work, the next day.
It may not feel like it at first because the surgery was only in your mouth, but your entire body will feel the impact of a gum graft. You may feel sore, overwhelmed, tired and anxious. Getting plenty of rest will help ease these symptoms and get you back to feeling like yourself in no time.
Avoid Talking (As Much As Possible)
Talking causes your mouth's muscles to stretch, which, in turn, can loosen up the gauze and increase the chances of bleeding. Refraining from speaking is hard, but try to remain silent as much as possible for the first two to three days after gum grafting surgery.
You may notice increased discomfort 3-4 days after the surgical procedure. As the tissues begin to heal, they may pull against the sutures and dressing. You may choose to take some form of pain medication one hour prior to your suture removal appointment to minimize tenderness.
After gum graft surgery, it is highly recommended to stick to a soft food diet for the first few days to avoid causing any trauma to the surgical site. They are gentle to your oral cavity, easier to consume, and less likely to get stuck and cause infection in the surgical area.
After 24 Hours.
You may return to normal daily routine, but avoid strenuous activities such as heavy lifting, or exercise programs which elevate your heart rate for 1 week following surgery.
Fluids should be consumed as soon as possible. It is recommended that you drink 6-8 glasses of water over the remainder of the day following surgery. Avoid using a straw as it may cause suction, which may loosen the blood clot and cause bleeding and loss of graft.
You should start using a salt water rinse the day after your gum grafting procedure. Don't brush the grafting area or otherwise disturb it during the first week of healing.
If you use your own tissue, the most teeth you can typically graft at once would probably be somewhere in the neighborhood of 7-8 teeth. With alloderm, you could graft every single tooth in your mouth in one sitting!
It is very important to keep the surgical area as immobile as possible for the first 72 hours following soft tissue graft surgery. DO NOT pull on your lips or try to see the surgical area. If you cough, yawn, or sneeze, cup your hand over the surgical area.
Periodontal Cosmetic Procedures Instructions
Avoid hot foods for the 1st day (hot soups, coffee, tea) as they will increase swelling to the treated area(s). Warm foods can be consumed on the 2nd day.
Throughout your surgery, you can expect to feel no pain whatsoever, as the anesthesia will ensure you are thoroughly numb. However, once you are home and the effects have worn off, it is not uncommon to experience some soreness and discomfort. Fortunately, there are ways to manage the pain and avoid complications.
3rd day until 2 weeks after surgery: A very soft food diet should only be eaten (Pasta, soups, eggs, fish, cooked soft vegetables, oatmeal, rice, beans etc.) Avoid any hard, spicy, crusty, coffee or acidic foods. Chewing should be done on the side opposite the surgical site.
Pain meds and ice are your friends
. Most patients experience facial swelling and sometimes bruising near the site of gum surgery. A tandem of pain medication and ice packs will ease what ails you. For best results with ice, start using cold packs on your face right after leaving the dentist.
The third day after surgery, a soft food diet can be started where you can enjoy pasta, fish, soup, mashed potatoes, rice, eggs, cooked soft vegetables, or oatmeal. Avoid chewing on the surgical site side of the mouth.
Treating Receding Gums with Gum Grafting
Gum grafting can address these issues and restore and rejuvenate your smile. While some gum recession occurs as we age, it can also often be result of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease must be treated before any cosmetic procedures can take place.
Avoid alcohol, carbonated drinks, and hard or brittle foods that could injure the surgical site. Be sure to stay hydrated. Take all prescribed antibiotics and medications as directed. You may use a non-aspirin pain reliever as needed.
The process of removing stitches from your gums is typically quick and relatively painless. Before the stitches are removed, your dentist or surgeon may apply a local anesthetic to numb the area.