When people talk about dental protocols in dentistry, rarely do they talk about gum grafting treatments. Only if you are the curious type will you learn about such dental procedures fundamental for dental health. At Clinique Dentaire Dorval, we tried to achieve a balance when catering to dental health so that it is not just your teeth that are attended to when you visit one of our dentists. Instead, we ensure that both your teeth and gums are equally taken care of. It would explain why procedures for gum restoration are prioritized in our dental clinics.
It is a surgical procedure in dentistry that focuses on restoring the health of the gum tissue. Patients who benefit from gum grafting in Dorval, QC, are mostly those who suffer from severe gum infections, usually called periodontitis. However, other patients with gingivitis, a less severe form of gum disease, can also benefit from gum grafting procedures. While those are the two primary categories of people that need gum grafting, your dentist may recommend this kind of surgery if you have an overcrowded mouth or crooked teeth, which can cause the gums to recede from your teeth.
Gums play an important role in your dental health, ensuring that the roots of your teeth are not exposed. Since the roots of your teeth are supposed to be covered, exposing them increases their chances of tooth decay. Besides, without ample support from your gums, your teeth will not be as stable as they should be.
This type of oral surgery may be a little different from what you are used to because it targets only your gums. The oral surgeon will retrieve healthy gum tissue from the root of your mouth, a different human donor, or a synthetic source. The gum tissue is what the dentist will use to reconstruct your receded gums.
Other than that the procedure is invasive, other facts about gum grafting include:
You must bring someone to your gum grafting surgery – Any oral surgery requires sedation and numbing to reduce any discomfort and pain typical of invasive treatments. As such, do not come alone for your gum grafting treatment. Bring someone who can drive you home while the sedatives wear off.
Your mouth will be sore for several days – like with any other dental surgery, soreness is part of the recovery period. Your entire mouth may feel sore, with most of the pain being centered around your wound. It does not mean that you should be unbothered by severe levels of pain. If your pain levels are unbearable, be sure to notify your dentist before anything worsens.
Swelling and bleeding are common – just like with soreness, expect significant swelling in your gums. You may also notice some bleeding during the first 24 hours after your procedure. Following that, you should not notice any significant bleeding. Pinkish saliva and reddened gums are within the parameters of what you should expect during your recovery.
The recovery process will need significant lifestyle adjustments – you must maximize your healing potential by making necessary changes in your regular routines. Eating healthily and avoiding tobacco and alcohol are great places to start.
You will be on medication after your surgery – your dentist will prescribe pain medication to manage your soreness, which will prove very useful for the first couple of days after treatment. You will also be taking antibiotics which will ensure that your wound is not infected as it heals.
The recovery period can last between 10 and 14 days – it will depend on how well you care for your mouth during your recovery. Avoid anything that will detach the gum graft or scratch the surface of your treated gum area.
Oral hygiene is paramount – although your mouth may still be sore, neglecting oral hygiene during your recovery could lead to an infected wound. Many of the practices to keep your mouth clean will be guided by your dentist in Dorval, QC. Ensure you change your toothbrush to a soft-bristled one that is less likely to hurt your gums. You will also be relying on mouthwash to rinse any food residues and remove any active bacteria that increase your risk of infection.