The surgical area will normally be tender for one to two days. Tissue for the gum graft is often taken from your palate but may be obtained from other sites or be 'store bought' in the form of manufactured collagen. This area takes one to two weeks to heal.
Recovery usually takes one week to two weeks, but it may take longer. Gum grafting has a good success rate and can reduce your risk of severe gum disease.
For patients who are not using donor grafting material, the healing process typically takes around 7-10 days, although most pain and discomfort should begin to alleviate and disappear within 2-4 days.
It is not unusual to have discomfort for at least the first week following your surgical procedure, though for most procedures and most patients the first night, and first 2-3 days will have the worst pain/discomfort.
The pain that is experienced has to do with underlying connective tissue being exposed to the oral cavity and getting irritated by rubbing of the tongue and food. 14 days after surgery, the superficial layer of the skin of the donor site will become thicker.
You will know that healing has begun when the soft tissues are shrinking and there is less swelling. The gum tissues gradually starts to bind to the root surface and nearby bone surface as well. New vessels will also start to form and the tissues will receive enough blood supply.
It is common to also have some swelling for the first few days following your gum graft. To help alleviate this discomfort, your dentist may recommend over the counter pain relief medication, like Tylenol or Ibuprofen. They may also recommend antibiotics if they are concerned you are at risk of developing an infection.
Do not look at the surgery site after leaving here. Some areas may remain sore for 5 to 6 days. The grafts may be a whitish or grayish appearance for 4 to 6 days after surgery, but this is normal until full blood circulation is restored.
AVOID PEROXIDE, ALCOHOL, CARBONATED BEVERAGES, AND DRINKING THROUGH A STRAW. After 24 Hours. You may have soft foods, such as cooked vegetables, fish, pasta, and meatloaf, which are easily chewed. You should use utensils and avoid chewing at the surgical site for 2 weeks.
Usually, you can tell you have a failed gum graft because you will have a large white patch of white tissue that has come off the tooth. Sometimes it may even look like the gum graft is falling off.
This blood clot is not visible to your eye but be assured that the process of gum healing has begun. You may feel a little discomfort during this time which is completely normal. It is also normal to experience minor bleeding and swelling during this stage.
Avoid Talking (As Much As Possible)
Talking causes your mouth's muscles to stretch, which, in turn, can loosen up the gauze and increase the chances of bleeding. Refraining from speaking is hard, but try to remain silent as much as possible for the first two to three days after gum grafting surgery.
Typically, the white stuff is granulation tissue. It is essential to the healing process of the extraction site. Other times, the white stuff is pus or a dry socket. A dry socket is often painful, and it occurs when the blood clot does not form correctly.
Unfortunately for this patient the graft didn't survive. The tissue became ischemic then necrotic. A week after the surgery the graft became completely free from the underlying tissues and fell out. These failures rarely cause pain however do cause psychological distress to the patient.
Although a gum graft is not considered major dental surgery, it is best to consult with a specialist (periodontist) for optimum results. Preventing the need for gum grafts starts with knowing why gum recession occurs: Heredity – You can't change who your ancestors are, but you can take steps to manage your oral health.
Following oral surgery, we recommend that you sleep with your head and shoulders propped up above your heart level. Add an extra pillow or two to your bed or to the place where you will be resting. If you have a recliner, this is also an excellent way to keep your head elevated.
Hard foods – chewing may dislodge the gum graft. Chewy foods – even vegetables. Although they are healthy, they may require more chewing than is recommended as you heal from your surgery. Hot foods –they will burn your gums, increasing sensitivity and pain.
Protection of the gum graft is VERY IMPORTANT to ensure a successful “take” of the procedure. CARE OF MOUTH: DO NOT brush or floss in the graft site for TEN days after surgery. Then you may begin gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush for another two to four days and finally return to normal brushing.
You may have a pink putty band-aid lying across the surgical site. This should be left on for at least 2 to 3 days. It allows gums to heal a bit before exposing to air, liquids and food. You may remove the putty yourself after 3 days by gently picking or peeling it loose.
WHAT DOES A FAILED SKIN GRAFT LOOK LIKE? Compromised or failed skin grafts are characterized by continuous pain, numbness, fever, discoloration, redness, swelling, or a breakdown of tissue. The most obvious sign of an unhealthy skin graft is darkening skin that lacks the pink appearance of healthy skin.
The Thin Tissue in Your Mouth is Very Quick to Heal
It is extremely prone to injury because it is so thin. However, it is the thinness of the oral tissue that makes it so easy to heal. The tissue in your mouth and around your gums is made up of mucous. Mucous tissue regenerates very quickly.
Healing time
While your gums are tender and may bleed easier than other areas of the body, they're also more likely to heal quickly. You can expect a minor cut on the gums to heal within 3 to 4 days. The anticipated healing time may be longer if the cut is more severe and needs stitches or if it becomes infected.