Most of the pain comes during your recovery. Typically the
Gum healing stage 2: healing of the palate
The palate takes longer to heal than the gum graft and spans from six to eight weeks following the surgery. For the first few days you will experience a burning sensation and it will take about 14 days before the discomfort will stop.
A surgical dressing may have been placed to protect the surgical area. This is a pink, putty like material resembling bubble gum that has been placed around the teeth in the area of surgery and on the roof of the mouth, if a donor site was used.
For soft tissue “gum” grafts, the site(s) may appear white during the healing process (up to 2 weeks), this is normal and not a sign of infection. The tissue will change to a pink color as it heals.
The tissue on your palate regenerates spontaneously within a few weeks. This gingival graft is performed by a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in oral health issues that impact the tooth's supportive structures.
The level of pain you experience will also vary depending upon what type of gum graft you have performed. If no tissue is removed from your palate, you will likely not experience much discomfort at all; however, if tissue is removed, you should plan on some mild to moderate discomfort following the procedure.
You will feel a burning sensation for the first few days, and the discomfort lasts about 14 days. If swelling or tissue removal results in an exposed bone, the healing period may last longer than two months.
Gum graft infection
One way to truly tell if you have an infection is that you will see pus coming from the graft site. This will look like a thick yellow fluid that is leaking from the surgical site. It is important to make sure to take antibiotics during the healing process to help prevent infection.
Gum grafts can change color during healing. Both the graft and the donor site sometimes turn white, three to five days after the procedure. This is normal healing. Much like a sunburn, the surface tissue sloughs off and then regenerates.
You will know that the graft is healing when the swelling subsides and the soft tissues are shrinking. Your gum tissue will begin binding to the root surface and bone. Then, new blood vessels will begin to form to enable blood flow to the graft. This stage takes four to six weeks from surgery.
When can I eat my regular diet after a gum graft? Typically, your gum graft should heal within 14 days. After that, you can resume eating as you wish. However, the only away to know for certain is by consulting with your periodontist.
Mouth tenderness is common after dental procedures because your mouth has soft tissues that can become agitated as a result of drilling and receiving needles for anesthesia. However, this discomfort should fade within a couple of days, and it definitely should not get worse.
This pain is caused by swollen muscles that are in close proximity to the extraction site. It's usually caused by a slight infection, but isn't serious unless the pain persists for weeks or more. It should only linger for about 3 days after the surgery.
If your gum graft failed, you'll probably notice a large patch of white tissue that has come off of your tooth. Its lack of color means that the gum graft lost blood supply and is dying.
AVOID PEROXIDE, ALCOHOL, CARBONATED BEVERAGES, AND DRINKING THROUGH A STRAW. After 24 Hours. You may have soft foods, such as cooked vegetables, fish, pasta, and meatloaf, which are easily chewed. You should use utensils and avoid chewing at the surgical site for 2 weeks.
Do not look at the surgery site after leaving here. Some areas may remain sore for 5 to 6 days. The grafts may be a whitish or grayish appearance for 4 to 6 days after surgery, but this is normal until full blood circulation is restored.
Gum grafting is a highly safe and effective procedure; it has been tested and proven successful in treating countless cases of receding and thinning gums due to aggressive brushing and gum disease. Still, complications and infections may occur, especially without proper post-op care.
Pain Medications
You may be given a prescription for medication to help you tolerate the post-surgical recovery period. Please take your medications as directed. If necessary, you may take your pain medication more frequently than every 4-6 hours to stay ahead of the soreness for the first 24 hours.
If the procedure was handled by a skilled and experienced dentist, the gum graft procedure is totally safe and the complications are minimal. Potential complications that could occur due to the procedure include severe swelling, infections, uneven healing and loose sutures.
It will get red and puffy, then white or gray with sloughing for up to two weeks. The tissue will change to pink or the natural color of your gums as the area heals.
Avoid any hard, spicy, crusty, coffee or acidic foods. Chewing should be done on the side opposite the surgical site.
Success or failure of graft will be determined by the periodontist or the operating surgeon. Failure happens in less than 2% of cases.