{"id":315,"date":"2026-04-18T17:18:01","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T17:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.parklaneperio.com\/blog\/?p=315"},"modified":"2026-05-02T17:21:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T17:21:20","slug":"achy-inquiry-do-gum-grafts-hurt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.parklaneperio.com\/blog\/2026\/04\/18\/achy-inquiry-do-gum-grafts-hurt\/","title":{"rendered":"Achy Inquiry: Do Gum Grafts Hurt?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Dentists<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your periodontist can help prevent this by performing a gum graft<\/a> 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is a Gum Graft?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Gum Grafts Hurt?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many patients are scared that their procedure will hurt, but thanks to dental sedation and other medications, that\u2019s 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\u2019s inhaled through a mask placed over your nose, or IV medications that are administered directly to your bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means you don\u2019t 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\u2019t develop and infection or other complication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Address Discomfort After My Gum Graft?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n