4 Tips To Help You Recover From Gum Graft Surgery

Gum disease is painful to deal with as it is an indication of deteriorating teeth. Gum disease is identified as either gingivitis or periodontitis. The latter is an extreme case of gum disease and often requires the patient to go through a number of surgical procedures including gum graft surgery. This surgery focuses on taking gum tissue from the roof of your mouth or a donor in order to replace the gum that has been destroyed. The grafts are essentially a foundation that will enable the  growth of new gum.

There are a few tips you should follow to ensure a healthy recovery from gum graft surgery:

Request A Stent

Gum graft surgery involves scraping gum tissue from your palate to restore the damaged gum. This process will leave that area of your mouth in slight pain. As you heal it is important to wear a stent. This device will protect the roof your mouth while you eat and drink.

The stent needs to be cleaned daily in order to remove bacteria. A stent generally makes the whole recovery process much easier, because it allows you to eat without having to worry about disrupting the surgical area. Not all dentists will automatically provide you with a stent, therefore, it is up to you to request one. 

Apply A Teabag To Reduce Bleeding

After your gum graft surgery, you will be instructed to apply pressure to the area in order to reduce the bleeding. It takes a few hours for the heavy bleeding to stop. However, if you find that the bleeding continues to flow at a high rate, then you can apply a wet tea bag to this area. The tea bag works well because it produces an astringent effect which reduces bleeding.  

Avoid Brushing And Flossing Gum Line

It is important that you use the first few days after your surgery to allow your gums to heal. This means that you should avoid brushing or flossing that area until it is healed. Applying pressure to that area prematurely will only aggravate the gum line and prolong your recovery.

Eat Cool And Soft Foods

Gum graft surgery will leave the roof of your mouth in pain for a few days. The pain is similar to burns sustained from eating extremely hot foods. In order to soothe the pain and avoid aggravating that area turn to cooler and soft foods. Foods that you can easily consume during this time, include:

• Cold soup
• Pudding
• Tofu
• Smoothies

The first few days following surgery your energy levels may be low, therefore, you need to consume foods that are high in nutrients.

While gum graft surgery is not the most painful dental experience, it is important to make the process as easy as possible. Now you can use these tips to ensure a speedy recovery. To learn more, contact a company such as Periodontal Specialists for help.