Gums may not be recognized as the strongest part of our body, they still have a very important role to play – holding your teeth together. Unfortunately, people who do not follow proper oral care or have bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are at risk of periodontal disease (gum disease). 

Gum disease is not good for your mouth. Simply put, it is an infection of the tissue that holds your teeth in place. Once this infection starts, it can quickly wear off the gums and expose the root of the tooth which can increase sensitivity and the chance of further damage to the gums.

Gum diseases happen gradually and it is very difficult to tell if you suffer from one until the gums start to bleed or swell. If you’re too late, Icon Dental Center in Everett and Seattle says that you may need a gum graft surgery (periodontal surgery) to repair the immediate problem.

As we all know, surgery of any kind is not welcoming news. The good news is, however, that periodontal surgery is a simple procedure and by just following a few tips, you can recover easily. 

Let’s look at these important tips to help you recover faster from periodontal surgery.

Antibiotics can Help

• The first thing your dentist will prescribe after the surgery are antibiotics. This helps prevent further infection and is very important for patients. Follow the dosage recommendations by your dentist to keep the infection away and recover faster.

Stent is Recommended

• When the surgery involves using your own tissue rather than making use of tissue bank, you’ll need a stent to protect the palate of your mouth. Simply ask for one if your dentist does not give you one.

A stent greatly reduces the bleeding and keeps food particles and the tongue away from the wound until it has completely recovered.

Healthy Diet Choices

• After the surgery, you’ll have to make some changes to your diet. You’ll have to avoid hot and cold food and beverages as well as any food that aggravates the wound such as sharp and chewy food. In other words, avoid eating fried chicken, nuts, and candy.

You’ll have to opt for soft food like eggs, oatmeal, bananas, and potatoes for the period you are recovering. You may even have to go on a liquid diet if your dentist recommends. But these diet changes are only temporary. You should be able to eat or drink anything you want after you have fully recovered.

Use Pain Killers and Ice

• To some extent, patients experience facial swelling and sometimes a bruise may appear on the site of the surgery. You can use pain killers and ice packs to ease these symptoms. Start by using ice packs on your face and then go for pain killers.

Light Physical Activity Only

• For people who indulge in sports and heavy physical activities such as lifting weights, aerobics, running, boxing, and other activities, you may have to stop for the time being. You will want to rest at least 2 weeks before you start these physical activities for the fastest recovery time.

Rest a Lot

• Last but not least, make sure to rest a lot. Let your body relax and heal on its own. You should complete your sleep cycles by sleeping at least 8 hours a day. Remember, the body recovers best when you are resting. So make sure that you’re off from work for a couple of weeks and rest as much as possible.

For more information on recovering from periodontal surgery, talk to Icon Dental Center Today. You can either walk-in to our office in Seattle or Everett, or give us a call for booking an appointment.