Healing After Gum Contouring

If you had been advised to have gum contouring, you may have some questions about the healing process. We will review that here to give you an idea of what to expect but your doctor will also review in detail any questions you have before you begin treatment.

Gum Contouring Recovery

To lessen your healing time, it is important to let your body rest and recover and follow your doctor‘s instructions and take all necessary medications. Here are some instructions you can expect to see from your doctor after gum contouring surgery.

Pain management: It is unlikely that your doctor will prescribe you with any pain medication since any discomfort you experience after surgery can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Some discomfort and swelling is to be expected but will begin to subside a little more every day. After seven days, swelling should be completely gone. It is beneficial to rinse your mouth out with a warm saltwater solution as often as you like to soothe the area. Your surgery site may form scabs and they will fall off on their own.

Oral hygiene: your dentist will make sure you understand what modifications you need to make when cleaning your teeth and surgery site. You can still brush and floss as normal but it is vital that you do so very gently. Do not use any mouthwash that contains alcohol as this will irritate the area and dry it out. Instead, use your warm saltwater solution after eating to also help clear away food particles and debris.

Dietary restrictions: for the first few days after surgery, it will be beneficial to maintain a diet of liquids and soft foods. Soups and smoothies are great for days one and two after which you can begin to incorporate soft foods such as well-cooked pasta, sauce cooked vegetables, eggs, oatmeal, cottage cheese, and soft fruit. If you only had your anterior teeth done, you can incorporate meat back into your diet, just don’t bite into anything. You will want to avoid foods that are crunchy or spicy since they will only irritate your surgery site and could cause bleeding. You will also want to stay away from beverages that are carbonated, acidic, or alcoholic.

Physical activity: The more you rest, the quicker your mouth will heal and the quicker you can get back to your normal daily routines. As you heal though it is important to avoid any strenuous activities because that could promote bleeding and lengthen your overall recovery time. You will be fine to go to work but it is important to avoid heavy lifting if that is something you face at work.

Gum contouring is a great way to enhance your smile and become more confident. If you are unhappy with your gums, speak with your dentist to see if they think that gum contouring might be right for you.

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