Are you considering gum surgery? Oral health professionals may recommend gum surgery if you:
- Have a receding gum line or exposed tooth roots
- Excessive or uneven gums
- Need to stop periodontal (gum) disease in its tracks
- Mend a decayed or broken tooth beneath the gumline
The Metropolitan Dental Care team proudly offers gum surgery to manage oral conditions and provide superior smile aesthetics. Speak with one of our Denver dentists to learn more about your options. After gum surgery, here are four ways to minimize the chance of complications.
1. Manage Swelling, Discomfort, and Bleeding Wisely
After any type of surgery, it’s normal to expect some level of swelling, discomfort, and bleeding. However, carefully managing these symptoms can help keep the recovery process timely and optimize comfort.
Swelling
During the first twenty-four hours after surgery, the primary goal is to prevent swelling. Unfortunately, swelling can trigger post-operative discomfort. So, to reduce swelling, we suggest icing the surgical site for five minutes and five minutes off.
Icing the wound can be accomplished:
- Outside the mouth: Place a cold compress pressed on the outer cheek
- Inside the mouth: Hold ice chips or cold water in the mouth
Discomfort
Along with antibiotics and antibacterial rinses, your dentist may also prescribe pain medication to reduce swelling and discomfort. Carefully follow directions for each prescribed medication.
Bleeding
Don’t panic. After any surgery, it’s normal to expect minor bleeding at the surgical site. If you notice post-operative bleeding, follow these steps:
- First, locate the bleeding area.
- Next, apply sterile gauze for 10 to 15 minutes.
- If the bleeding persists for over 30 minutes, give our Denver office a call.
2. Don’t Smoke or Use Tobacco
Many patients are concerned about how soon they can resume everyday habits (such as smoking). Although smoking is never recommended, it’s vital to refrain from smoking during the healing process. Smoking delays oral tissue healing. Consequently, the total healing time may lengthen.
It’s important to note that when your dentist advises you not to smoke after gum surgery, this is not limited to tobacco use.
3. Eat Soft, Cold Foods
Even if you don’t feel like eating after surgery, eating a balanced diet can aid in the healing process. During the first 24 hours of recovery, we advise consuming a diet solely of cold, soft, and liquid foods which can help relieve swelling, such as:
- Ice cream
- Gelatin
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Gaspacho
- Smoothies
- Protein shakes
After the first day, you can switch to warmer (but not scalding) foods, including mashed potatoes and pasta. Also, avoid foods like this as your gums are healing:
- Spicy
- Crumbly
- Crunchy
- Too hot in temperature
4. Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene
Even though excellent oral hygiene is always important, it’s especially crucial after oral surgery to prevent infection. However, you should not brush or floss the wound area like usual. Instead, follow the specific oral hygiene guidelines your dentist gives you. This may include using a prescribed antibacterial mouthwash or saltwater rinse.
Schedule a Consultation for Gum Surgery in Denver
Surgery never sounds like fun, but it can be an essential step in helping you get your oral health and aesthetics back into a state you can smile about. The way you manage your recovery process can make or break your results.
Get more information on what you can expect before, during, and after gum surgery. Call 303-534-2626 or message Metropolitan Dental Care today.
