About this topic
Normally, your gums cover the roots of your teeth. If the gums pull away, the roots begin to show and can be sensitive to hot or cold. Other times, your gums may be red and swollen and bleed easily. This may be due to periodontal disease. As more of the tooth starts to show, you may have problems with the bone around the tooth. If it is destroyed, your teeth may loosen or even fall out. ‚
Periodontal graft surgery is done to: ‚
- Cover tooth roots and improve how your teeth look
- Decrease tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods
- Protect the tooth, gum, and bone
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your dentist what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the dentist says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take extra care of any area where you had your graft surgery. Do not rub the area with your tongue. Do not pull your lip away to see where the surgery was done. This will help prevent bleeding and permit healing.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Heat may be used later, but not right away. Heat can make swelling worse. If your dentist tells you to use heat, put a heating pad on your sore area for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on, as this can cause burns.
- Ask your dentist when you may eat or drink after the procedure.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep with your head tilted upward for the rest of the day.
- Ask when it is OK to brush and floss your teeth. It is normal to have pink spit for a few days.
- If you have bleeding, gently apply pressure to the area with a wet tea bag, gauze pad, or clean washcloth for 10 minutes and repeat as needed.
- Do not smoke after the surgery. This may prevent good healing.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your dentist may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. During your follow-up, your dentist will tell you if more treatment is needed.
- If you have stitches, you may need to have them taken out. Your dentist will want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks unless they are the type that dissolve. If dissolving stitches were placed, they will fall out on their own in about 1 week.
What drugs may be needed?
The dentist may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Prevent or fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity for a short period of time to avoid bleeding. Talk to your dentist about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Follow a soft or liquid diet after the procedure. Eat foods like pasta, eggs, yogurt, baked potato, or oatmeal. Chew on the side that did not have surgery. Ask your dentist when you can begin your normal diet.
- Avoid sucking through a straw for 48 hours after surgery.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding that is not controlled
- The graft does not stay on your gums
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Take good care of your teeth. Brush and floss your teeth each day.
- Use only a soft or extra soft toothbrush.
- Get regular dental checkups and cleanings at least twice a year.
- Eat a healthy diet.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Very bad swelling
- Signs of wound infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain.
- Bleeding that is not controlled by holding pressure on it for 20 minutes
- Upset stomach or throwing up
- Very bad pain not helped by the drugs you are taking
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how I will take care of my mouth.
- I can tell you when I can go back to my normal diet.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have too much swelling, pain, or bleeding.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Periodontology ‚
http://www.perio.org/consumer/grafts.htm ‚
http://www.perio.org/consumer/procedures.htm#2 ‚
American Dental Association ‚
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/p/Periodoncia ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚