Pain. The area of the gum graft will be tender for a day or two, and sensitive to hot or cold drinks and hard foods for a several weeks afterward.
For patients who are not using donor grafting material, the healing process typically takes around 7-10 days, although most pain and discomfort should begin to alleviate and disappear within 2-4 days.
Most patients will be fully healed from a gum graft procedure within two weeks but could take up to a month. A follow-up appointment with the doctor a week after the procedure will be needed to ensure the graft was successful and patient is properly healing. After two weeks, regular flossing and brushing can resume.
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.
Brushing: You may brush the CHEWING surfaces of your teeth beginning the day AFTER surgery. PLEASE do NOT brush your gum tissue in the areas of surgery at all for the first week. DO NOT USE A DENTAL IRRIGATOR, WATER FLOSSER OR WATER-PICK for 3 full weeks following surgery.
You should use utensils and avoid chewing at the surgical site for 2 weeks. DO NOT SKIP MEALS. If you take nourishment regularly, you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort, and heal faster. Plan to rest at home for the remainder of the day of surgery and the following day.
The Best Sleeping Position
When it comes to sleeping position following dental surgery, it is a good idea to make sure to elevate the head. A good angle to achieve while sleeping is 45 degrees. You should sleep in the position for the first 36 to 48 hours following the surgery.
NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including ibuprofen and naproxen, are especially useful because of their inflammation-reducing benefits. These drugs help to control pain and inflammation in the mouth after your procedure. Acetaminophen can significantly decrease your perception of pain.
While a gum graft procedure isn't considered major surgery, it does require some recovery time and short-term modifications to your diet.
As gum disease progresses, these patients wind up losing additional teeth as additional recession continues. Adult tooth loss should be avoided at all costs because it is both inconvenient and expensive to correct. So while surgery may not be preferable, it is necessary for avoiding serious, and costly, complications.
The best news is that you don't have to keep up with this soft food diet for very long, either. Normally, you should avoid solid food for just 24 hours after your oral surgery, after which it may be okay to eat it again.
Pain. It is normal for post-operative pain to increase in the first 1-2 days along with swelling which usually peaks at about 48 hours.
For most procedures, most patients report 2-3 ibuprofen( Motrin or Advil) or 1-2 extra-strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) is adequate to control pain.
You'll be numb during your gum graft surgery, so you won't feel anything during the procedure. You'll probably have mild soreness after your procedure, but your periodontist will give you medications and post-surgical instructions to help minimize your discomfort.
Your periodontist will ask you to keep the gauze in place for the first 40 to 50 minutes, reducing the risk of bleeding. You should also refrain from speaking. While you may feel up to chatting, it's best to wait 2 or 3 days unless otherwise advised by a dentist.
DRINK WATER
Drinking fluids following oral surgery will also speed up the healing process and help to prevent conditions like dry socket. However, when drinking liquids, do so by sipping on a cup or bottle. Do not use a straw, as the suction could dislodge any dressings on the wound.
Your oral surgeon will use plenty of anesthetic and possibly sedation to keep you as comfortable as possible. These can take some time to wear off in some cases, which can cause you to feel tired for the rest of the day.
Sutures (stitches) will usually have to be removed approximately 10 days to 2 weeks following your surgery.
Any excess gum tissue that is removed to reposition the gum line and reveal more of the teeth will not grow back. This longevity is a relief for patients, particularly those who are self-conscious about the appearance of their gums and don't want to worry about excess gum tissue returning in the future.
Oral Surgery Infection Symptoms
Throbbing pain that will not go away even though you use pain medications. You might develop a fever that may persist for more than a day or increase after a few days.
Proper Diet After Gum Treatment
In the first week after treatment, it's essential to eat a soft diet, including: Scrambled eggs. They are not only nutritious but are also easy to chew. Dairy products like yogurt, milk, ice cream, and butter.
Beginning a Few Days After Surgery
We often recommend nothing more strenuous than a leisurely walk for at least 4 or 5 days. After that, you can slowly begin to increase the intensity of your exercise sessions.
Here are some healthy foods that can aid in healing after gum graft surgery: Lean proteins: options such as chicken, fish, and tofu can aid tissue repair and recovery. Zinc-rich foods: Zinc is necessary for tissue repair and aids in wound healing.