Gum Grafting Home Care Instructions

What You Should Do After Your Gum Graft Surgery

A gum graft is a minor dental surgical procedure where gum recession is reversed. It is very important that the post-operative instructions are followed for maximum healing. 

If you have not had your gum grafting appointment yet, please read our pre-visit instructions.

Bleeding issues

• Slight bleeding can be expected for the first and second day following surgery. If you see a small amount of blood in your saliva (your saliva is slightly pink in color), do not worry. You can swallow your saliva; you will not get sick.
• If bleeding becomes heavy or excessive, give us a call. 

Sutures

• If the dentist placed non-dissolving sutures that will remain in place for 4-6 weeks, you will have to return to have them removed. 
• If the dentist placed dissolvable sutures, they will fall apart on their own after 1-2 weeks; no further action is required. If the sutures are non-dissolving, you will have to return to have them removed. 

Avoid Irritating The Healing Area

• Avoid forceful movements in the mouth, such as spitting, sucking through a straw, or vigorous rinsing, for the next few days. 
• If you have to expel fluids from your mouth, allow liquids to drool out over a sink.

Pain Control

• It is normal to feel pain immediately after gum grafting.
• You are also welcome to use over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Ask your dentist what dosage is right for you, but if you do not have a pre-existing medical condition of allergies, 1000mg acetaminophen (Tylenol) with 600mg ibuprofen (Advil) every 4-6 hours or as needed is a very powerful combination.

Swelling

• Swelling may occur over the course of 48-72 hours after gum graft surgery. To minimize swelling, place an ice bag or bag of frozen peas (wrapped in a towel) over the cheek, on and off for a few minutes at a time. 

Numbness

• Any numbness you’re experiencing from the local anesthetic will last approximately two to three hours. Until the anesthetic wears off, be careful not to drink hot liquids or bite your lip, cheek or tongue.

Difficult Jaw Opening

• Local anesthetic injections by their very nature cause injury to the muscles of the jaw, and can result in temporary difficulty opening your jaws wide, pain, and muscle spasm of the affected side. This is a condition called “myogenic trismus secondary to dental local anesthetic injection”.
• Follow this link to learn more about how to manage myogenic trismus at home. 

Antibiotics

• If your dentist prescribed antibiotics for you, take them as prescribed until finished. If you start feeling worse after the third day following surgery, or if you start having a difficult time swallowing or breathing, contact your dentist or seek help at your local hospital emergency room.

Oral Hygiene

• For the next 24 hours, no brushing, flossing, or rinsing your mouth 
• After 24 hours, you may start rinsing the healing socket with warm salt water using the plastic syringe provided by your dentist (no more than 1x per day). You may also start brushing and flossing your other teeth like normal, except no toothpaste, being careful to not brush the teeth that had gum graft surgery. 
• After 48 hours, you can re-introduce toothpaste. We do not want toothpaste particles getting trapped in the healing socket.
• After 1 week, you can very gently brush the teeth that had the gum graft, but being very careful to not touch the gums. The gums should not be disturbed for minimum 8 weeks following gum graft surgery.

Avoid Smoking and Alcohol 

• Smoking and alcohol is detrimental to healing tissues and will affect the results of surgery. Avoid it for at least 4 weeks.

Avoid Vigorous Exercise 

• Too much physical activity may cause you pain and cause the gum graft area to bleed. Normal activity can resume after a few days.

Food

• Soft diet, e.g. scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, smoothies, yoghurt, soft rice, porridge.
• Nothing too hot or cold for the first 48 hours.
• Stay hydrated.
• Avoid spicy and acidic foods. 
• Avoid small nuts and seeds.

Have Questions?

• If you have any additional questions or concerns about gum graft surgery recovery, please contact us.