The Whole Tooth and Nothing But the Tooth

Do you need to have a gum graft procedure in the near future? If so, you're likely wondering what it will be like to recover from the surgery. Here are a few tips that will help ensure that recovery goes smoothly. 

Avoid Smoking And Vaping

As much as you may want to relax by smoking or vaping after the gum graft procedure, know that this is something that you definitely shouldn't do. The nicotine in these products can cause several problems with the healing process, which include drying out your mouth and restricting blood flow. You could end up with an infection as a result of going back to your nicotine habit. 

Avoid Irritating the Area

You may be tempted to investigate the area where the gum graft was performed. You should avoid irritating this area by pulling on your cheeks or gums to take a closer look. Your mouth needs to heal, and investigating the area is only going to cause irritation and disrupt the healing process. 

Follow the Right Diet

Your surgeon will suggest a diet of liquids and soft foods while your mouth is recovering. Make sure that you follow their recommendation and avoid anything that requires a lot of chewing for about the first week after the procedure. You should also avoid foods that are spicy, acidic, and carbonated. 

Avoid Brushing the Grafted Teeth at First

You'll also be given instructions for caring for your teeth. While brushing is still important, you'll likely be told not to brush the grafted teeth for about a day. The brushing motion can cause too much irritation and disrupt the gum graft, so it is best to avoid it for a short period of time while the surgical site is the most delicate. You can clean the grafted teeth by dipping a cotton swab in saltwater and gently rubbing the teeth.

Know How To Deal With Bleeding

The roof of your mouth will likely be bleeding for that first day after the procedure. Some surgeons will give you a palatal stent that needs to be worn immediately after the surgery, which will help deal with the bleeding. If you did not receive a palatal stent, you'll likely need to use gauze to lightly apply pressure and absorb the blood that comes from the part of your mouth where the skin was removed. 

Reach out to your surgeon for more information on post gum graft surgery care.