People talk about the teeth so much and tend to forget that the gums are equally important. Gums hold the teeth in place, and when they are not at their best, your teeth will be in jeopardy. The most prevalent gum issue is periodontal disease. The disease causes gum inflammation, gum recession, and eventually tooth and bone loss.
That’s why you need to seek periodontal disease treatment to keep your teeth intact and stop gum recession. Periodontal surgery or gum surgery eliminates bacteria and infection and regrows damaged bones and tissues.
Without further ado, let’s glimpseat some aspects of gum surgery.
How Would You Prepare the Surgery for Periodontal Treatment?
Before you undergo gum surgery, you will have to come in for the initial consultation. During this session, our dentist near you will perform a pre-operative exam to ensure that the procedure will be appropriate and safe for you.
Our dentist will cover the following bases during your initial consultation:
- Your medical history
- Examine your mouth, teeth, gums, and jaw for stability and health
- Check for infections, lesions, or abscesses that could complicate the surgery
- Discuss the pros as well as the risks involved with the surgery
You might also learn the various types of surgical procedures that go hand in hand with periodontal treatment, such as bone grafting, flap surgery, tissue grafting, and guided tissue regeneration.
In any case, you will also need to be prepared for the big day. So, a few weeks before the procedure, you will need to stop taking specific drugs, especially blood thinners and pain relievers.
Smoking and drinking alcohol are counterproductive since they inhibit or slow the healing process. So, it would serve you well if you stopped drinking alcohol and smoking 24 hours before the procedure.
You might receive antibiotics from our dentist, which you must take before the procedure to reduce the risk of developing an infection.
You should organize with a friend or family member to take you home after your procedure. The sedation and anesthesia will wear off after some time. So, if there is some still in your system, it will affect your reaction times. You might not be the best driver.
You might receive more instructions from our dentist that might help you prepare for your surgery. So, adhere to them.
How Long Does Pain Last After Periodontal Surgery?
Pain following surgery is normal, and there is nothing that you should fret about. That’s why our dentist will always prescribe some pain medication that will help alleviate the pain during recovery. You will also need to use cold compresses to ease the pain, and discomfort and reduce the swelling.
Even though you should expect to feel pain after the procedure, the pain shouldn’t last linger for a long time. In most cases, the pain should subside within three to four days. However, if it lasts longer than this period, then it means that something’s wrong, and you might need to check in with our dentist near you.
After Care of Periodontal Treatment
The length of your recovery process is subject to several factors, including age, overall health, lifestyle habits, and how you care for your gums.
The most critical issue is how you care for your gums since poor care will lead to subsequent infections.
In any case, aftercare begins immediately after the procedure. After the anesthesia wears off, you will feel the cascade of senses returning to life; that’s when the pain begins. You can deal with the pain using pain medication. Also, you might have to take the antibiotics our dentist prescribed to prevent re-infection.
Some additional aftercare tips include:
- Don’t disturb the site by poking with your fingers or tongue or brushing until the area has healed
- Use gauze to control bleeding
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol since the compounds in these products will hinder the healing process
- Don’t use straws when drinking water since the clot comes out
- Avoid spitting and rinsing the mouth for at least 24 hours
- Get plenty of rest since the body heals much faster
- Steer clear from intense or moderate physical activity for at least 72 hours or even longer to give your body time to heal
- Follow a soft diet for up to two weeks or even longer to give your gums time to heal
- Hot, cold, hard, and crunchy foods aren’t your friends since they can cause sensitivity and might even hurt your gums
If you follow the instructions that you will receive from our dentist, your recovery will be swift and smooth.
If you have any queries, contact our dentist at Montgomery Dental Associates.