Start the day of the gum graft surgery, and take for the next 2 days. After that you can still take it as needed for pain. Do not use ibuprofen for more than one week. If you take an 81mg aspirin daily, taking an NSAID (such as ibuprofen) and aspirin around the same time can reduce the blood thinning effect of aspirin.
Pain may occur following a periodontal surgery that involves the opening of a flap, gingival grafts, or gingivectomy/frenectomy procedures. Postoperative pain experienced within the first 3 days after surgery is considered normal and should progressively diminish throughout the healing phase.
Pain Medications
After surgery for pain relief and to reduce inflammation and tissue swelling, please take 600-800mg of Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or generic) three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for at least three to five days.
For most procedures, most patients report 2-3 ibuprofen( Motrin or Advil) or 1-2 extra-strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) is adequate to control pain.
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.
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.
Suture Removal
You may notice increased discomfort 3-4 days after the surgical procedure. As the tissues begin to heal, they may pull against the sutures and dressing. You may choose to take some form of pain medication one hour prior to your suture removal appointment to minimize tenderness.
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.
Many patients will say it's about a 6-7 out of 10 on a 1-10 pain scale. The reason it's more painful is that they harvest the donor tissue from the surface of the roof of the mouth. This leaves the underlying gum tissues completely exposed and therefore in pain.
After your surgery, do not take any anti-inflammatory medicines, such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naprosyn (Aleve), and prescription anti-inflammatories, unless your surgeon prescribes them. Do not start taking these medicines until your doctor says it is okay. You may take Tylenol unless you are told not to do so.
Answer: NSAIDS following surgery
I typically allow my patients to start using these medications immediately, but many surgeons prefer for patients to wait several days. It is always best to ask your surgeon as he/she may have encountered something during the operation in which bleeding is more of a concern.
Some swelling may be present and may peak at 48-72 hours after surgery. Warm compresses will reduce swelling and bruising after 36 hours if needed.
For soft tissue “gum” grafts, the site(s) may appear white during the healing process (up to 2 weeks), this is normal and not a sign of infection. The tissue will change to a pink color as it heals.
Within 14-21 days, the hole will close, and your gums will heal. Keep in mind that large teeth, like the back teeth and wisdom teeth removal, takes the longest to heal. After a month, your tooth hole should be completely healed, and there should be no spicules or indentations.
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.
8. Exercise: Avoid strenuous exercise or lifting weights for the 1st week after surgery. You may walk or ride a bike carefully. 9.
Do not drink any sodas or acidic fruit juices. No straw for the next 2-3 days! 3rd day until 2 weeks after surgery: A very soft food diet should only be eaten (Pasta, soups, eggs, fish, cooked soft vegetables, oatmeal, rice, beans etc.) Avoid any hard, spicy, crusty, coffee or acidic foods.
In most cases the dressing is left in the mouth for a period of 7-14 days and may be changed once or more by the doctor during this time. Try to keep the dressing in placed until your next appointment. If the dressing becomes loose or comes off, do not try to push it back.
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.
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.
While every patient is different, it is not uncommon for the effects of anesthesia to take time to wear off, causing you to feel tired and a bit sore in the immediate hours following your procedure.
A: You may resume brushing and flossing all teeth except the surgical area 24 hours after surgery. Avoid brushing the surgical area until your stitches are removed or have dissolved depending on the type of stitches placed for your procedure.
You will know if you have failed gum graft because the graft will be very white. Immediately see your periodontist see what the next step is.
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.