Gum Grafting Recovery

Your healing time for a gum grafting procedure might be as short as a week, with complete recovery closer to a month. This recovery will come with some strict instructions to promote proper healing. Before you focus on your recovery, let us first describe the process and why you might consider having gum grafting.

The Reasons for Gum Grafting

Gum recession is a natural outcome of the aging process. As your gums naturally begin to recede, the roots of your teeth will become exposed. This will lead to increased sensitivity from the exposed tooth, some bone loss, and even the loss of the entire tooth. Gum recession becomes an issue when it is accelerated by gum or periodontal disease, smoking, or the simple bad habit of poor at-home oral hygiene, in how you might neglect your teeth and gums. You could be diligent about following the health industry recommendations of brushing twice a day yet are doing damage because you are brushing too aggressively or using a stiff-bristled toothbrush. It is best to consult and collaborate with your dentist and create an oral health care plan to maintain your healthy teeth and gums.

The Gum Grafting Procedure

In most gum grafting procedures, your dentist or periodontist will go to an area on your palate, the roof of your mouth, for the source of your donor tissue graft. The treatment is performed with the administration of local anesthesia as the donor tissue is removed and then surgically placed in the restoration area. When you are finished, you now have two areas with sutures. Occasionally, grafting tissue from a tissue bank can be used, eliminating one set of sutures, but this comes with an additional cost.

The Gum Grafting Recovery Expectations

You will be sore for several days. You will be advised not to brush your teeth around the grafting site, and you will also be given a list of preferred soft foods for your diet. It might also be suggested that, for a reasonable period, your food remains cold so as not to damage the suture sites. Softer food will minimize the necessity to chew, which is also beneficial for your recovery process. You will have a follow-up exam in a week or two to evaluate the progress of your healing and allow for the return of your normal brushing and diet changes. By following these instructions, you are avoiding the possibility of infections and complications.

The Benefits of Having Gum Grafting

Many people think about the appearance of their teeth when they evaluate and consider the perceived value of their natural smile. Yet the gums are equally as important in maintaining a good, balanced ratio. Your smile is an underappreciated asset, taken for granted, that quickly displays your personality and who you are. It can be viewed as the foundation for your self-confidence and your self-esteem. Paying attention to the health of both your teeth and gums is critical for your quality of life. Neglecting your gums and allowing them to recede, and not doing anything about them, will have serious health implications, including bone loss and tooth loss, so it goes beyond the aesthetics of a healthy smile. Collaborate with your dental team and establish a preventative oral hygiene program at home.

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