Did you know that advanced gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults? If bacteria in your mouth penetrate your connective tissues, it can trigger an infection that can eventually become so severe that your gums recede to escape it. This leaves your teeth without sufficient support to remain firmly in place.
Your periodontist can help prevent this by performing a gum graft to restore damaged tissues, but many patients worry their procedure will hurt. Continue reading to learn more about what to expect so you can set your mind at ease!
What is a Gum Graft?
Understanding more about what happens during your procedure might help ease your anxiety over the unknown. This oral surgery involves placing additional tissues over the roots of your teeth to improve your dental health and help prevent potential tooth loss. The additional material is typically taken from a different part of your mouth, though in some cases, donated human or animal collagen tissues are used.
This procedure can often be completed in a single appointment, and might only last 30 minutes to about 1.5 hours, though the timeframe for your visit depends significantly on your individual circumstances. This is enough time for your periodontist to numb your mouth and/or provide sedation, sanitize the area, harvest the graft from your palate, then apply and suture the new tissues in place.
Do Gum Grafts Hurt?
Many patients are scared that their procedure will hurt, but thanks to dental sedation and other medications, that’s not usually the case. Your periodontist will numb your mouth with a local anesthetic and/or provide sedation, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) that’s inhaled through a mask placed over your nose, or IV medications that are administered directly to your bloodstream.
That means you don’t have to worry about potential discomfort until after your appointment, when the medications wear off. Then, you might feel sensitive or sore for a few days, though most patients report mild to moderate aches rather than severe ones. If you experience persistent or worsening pain, please contact your provider to ensure you haven’t develop and infection or other complication.
How Can I Address Discomfort After My Gum Graft?
Fortunately, symptoms following a gum graft are usually manageable and resolve by themselves. In the meantime, there are several ways you can help reduce discomfort, such as:
- Rinse your mouth with salt water. Avoid brushing and flossing for the first 24 hours, which can be abrasive, and rinse your mouth with salt water to gently remove germs while naturally soothing aches and inflammation.
- Apply a cold compress. Placing an ice pack against the tender side of your face for a few minutes at a time during the first 24 hours can help reduce swelling and soreness.
- Adjust your diet. You may want to stick to softer, blander foods, such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, and applesauce, for a few days to avoid worsening irritation.
- Get lots of rest. Getting plenty of rest and avoiding physical activities that elevate your heart rate and blood pressure can help keep swelling and bleeding to a minimum.
Although getting a gum graft can sound intimidating, thanks to modern dental technology and techniques, most patients recover relatively quickly and without developing complications!
Meet the Author
Dr. Andrew Barnett is a highly accomplished periodontist who is passionate about helping patients build the healthiest and most beautiful versions of their smiles. He earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh, then earned a Master of Science and Certificate in Periodontics from the University of Michigan. Today, he is a board-certified provider who offers a variety of complex and surgical procedures, including gum grafts, using state-of-the-art technology and sedation for more comfortable, accurate, and long-lasting results. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (214) 691-2614.