How Painful is Gum Grafting?

Before we address the level of discomfort or pain you may encounter following a gum grafting procedure, you must first understand that pain levels are relative. When your dentist asks about your pain level on a scale from 1 to 10, we all have our subjective responses. Pain is relative to your own individual experiences and your personal mental and physical composition. As a baseline, you will indeed have discomfort after your gum grafting. First, we will discuss the reasons for considering gum grafting, the surgical procedure, and the healing process.

Why Consider a Gum Grafting Procedure?

Gum grafting is usually the result of gum recession. This is the result of natural aging and might also be accelerated by some personal habits. Gum recession happens when the root of a tooth becomes exposed. The exposed tooth root does not have the protective enamel found on the crown, so this results in increased sensitivity to both hot and cold and can also lead to bone loss. It might even progress to the actual loss of the tooth. Gum recession can also negatively impact your smile. Over time, you may not immediately notice the change, but the aesthetic perception of the balance between your teeth and gums is changing. Gum grafting will have positive health implications in addition to improving your self-image with the restoration of your healthy smile. If you neglect proper oral hygiene at home, you are allowing plaque to accumulate on your teeth, which immediately infects the gums, creating gum or periodontal disease. This is a leading cause of accelerating gum recession. Tobacco products will also negatively affect your gums. Diabetes advances gum recession, and even aggressive brushing with a stiff-bristled toothbrush has a negative impact. There is also your own genetic makeup.

The Gum Grafting Procedure

Quite often, your graft will come from the roof of your mouth. This grafting tissue will be relocated to the recession area with sutures. The graft could also come from another gum area that has an excessive amount of tissue, or sometimes it might come from a tissue bank. With the use of a local anesthetic, you will have no pain or discomfort throughout your procedure. When the anesthesia subsides, you will experience some discomfort.

The Recovery and Healing Process

You will be sore for several days, and you may encounter some minor swelling. The level of your discomfort can be managed and neutralized with an over-the-counter pain reliever. If your pain is elevated, your dentist might prescribe additional pain medication. An antibiotic may be added to reduce the possibility of infection. You will be instructed not to brush any teeth around your sutures. You will be given a list of foods and drinks to avoid, since this is about eating softer foods to reduce any biting and chewing. Hot beverages should also be avoided. This process will last your first week, and then the restrictions will be revised based on the extent of your procedure and your ability to heal. The discomfort is short-lived and is better than the ongoing sensitivity from your exposed tooth roots.

Related Article: How Long Does it Take Gum Grafting to Heal?