Gum Graft Pre-Operative Instructions
What You Should Do Before Your Gum Graft Surgery
A Gum Graft is a minor surgical procedure designed to reverse gum recession, protect exposed tooth roots, and enhance the appearance of your smile. To ensure a successful outcome and smooth recovery, it’s important to follow these pre-operative instructions carefully.
Plan Your Soft Food Diet
- Stock Up on Soft Foods: After your gum graft, you’ll need to stick to a soft food diet to avoid disturbing the graft. Prepare foods like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, smoothies, yogurt, rice, porridge, and congee.
- Eat Regular Meals on Surgery Day: If you’re not scheduled for sedation, eat breakfast and lunch as you normally would. If sedation is planned, consult the guidelines below.
Antibiotics
- Your dentist may provide antibiotics before the surgery to prevent bacterial infections. Follow the prescription carefully, and reach out to your dentist if you experience any unusual symptoms or side effects.
Medications
- Continue Regular Medications: Unless instructed otherwise, take all your usual medications as prescribed.
- Special Note for Blood Thinners: If you are taking blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin (Warfarin), Dabigatran (Pradaxa), or Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), your dentist may advise you to reduce or temporarily stop taking them.
- Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be helpful. Ask your dentist for the recommended dosage, but a common combination for managing dental pain is 1000 mg of acetaminophen with 600 mg of ibuprofen every 4-6 hours as needed.
Dental Sedation (If Required)
- If you will be sedated during your gum graft, consult our Sedation Dentistry Pre-Operative Instructions for specific guidance on preparation. Refrain from eating or drinking as directed before your appointment to ensure safe sedation.
- If you’ll be undergoing sedation, arrange for someone to drive you to and from the appointment.
Entertainment Options
- Bring Headphones: Consider bringing headphones and a mobile device so you can listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks during the procedure for a more relaxing experience.
Oral Hygiene Before Your Gum Graft Surgery
Maintaining a clean mouth prior to surgery is essential to minimize the risk of infection. Follow these oral hygiene guidelines to ensure optimal gum health:
- Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily: Brush your teeth at least twice a day (morning and before bed) or ideally after every meal to keep your mouth as clean as possible.
- Rinse with Mouthwash or Water: If brushing after every meal isn’t possible, rinse with water or an antibacterial mouthwash to remove food debris. We recommend Crest Gum Care Mouthwash Oral Rinse for added gum protection.
- Upgrade Your Toothbrush: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your gums. We recommend the Curaprox CS5460 Ultra Soft Toothbrush for its gentle yet effective cleaning. Consider switching to an electric toothbrush, such as the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100, which can help remove more plaque and bacteria.
- Floss Daily: Flossing is essential to remove plaque and food particles. If you find traditional floss challenging, try dental flossers or interdental brushes like GUM Proxabrush.
- Add a Water Flosser to Your Routine: A water flosser, such as the Waterpik Aquarius, is a great addition to your routine to help flush out debris. Aim to water floss daily.
- Use Antibacterial Gum Care Mouthwash: Rinsing with an antibacterial gum care mouthwash helps reduce the risk of gum disease. We recommend Crest Gum Care Mouthwash Oral Rinse.
- Choose a Gum Care Toothpaste: Use a gum care toothpaste like Crest Pro-Health Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste to promote gum health and fight bacteria around the gumline.
What to Wear and Bring
- Wear Comfortable Clothing: Opt for comfortable, loose clothing, preferably with an open collar. Avoid wearing light-colored clothing as it may stain.
- Minimize Makeup and Accessories: Keep makeup minimal or avoid it entirely. Remove any jewelry, especially around the mouth, and consider leaving contact lenses at home. Avoid high heels and colored or gel nail polish.
Work, Social, and Family Obligations
- Plan for Recovery Time: Schedule 1-2 days off from work or other responsibilities to rest after the procedure. If necessary, your dentist can provide a sick leave letter for your employer.
- Childcare Arrangements: Arrange for childcare if you have young children, as you may need time to recover and rest.
Review Post-Operative Care Instructions
Before your appointment, take a moment to review Post-Operative Care Instructions for Gum Grafts. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare for a successful recovery and reduce the risk of complications.
Have Questions? Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about your gum graft procedure, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.
