gum grafting recovery

Had mine 7 days ago. The doctor took tissue from both sides of the roof of my mouth. Ouch, Ouch ouch hurts like a son of a gum and I am a week out. I think he actually went down to the bone on the roof. Can't really eat anything much ... can't take off work. Had I known it would be this involved I would have asked him to do it in smaller pieces. This is worse than any surgery recovery I have had. Wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Did the bandage come off or dissolve at all ?? I had my surgery two days ago and the bandage is already coming off..

I just had the gum grafting done 7 days ago. The roof of my mouth is still too tender to really eat anything with any texture to it. I did not feel I got a lot of information before or after the surgery (without asking specifically), I have no plans to do this again. It is not a piece of cake, and I usually do well after surgery. I was bruised and swollen on day 3, I believe. I'm still bruised, and that will take a week or so to go away. My stitches are still in, they will fall out I'm told. The worst part besides not eating is I cannot brush my teeth right! My lower teeth (8 of them) look so stained and gross! I use the rinse and do what I am allowed, but now with a baby toothbrush instead of my sonicate, which I can't use for maybe 3 weeks. It is a barbaric surgery, in my opinion. I think if I ever did it again I would go for the cadaver tissue. I had the twilight sedation and did not feel a thing. That was good, because I could not, can not, even watch the you tube video on gum graft surgery. I am not finished with the process, so hopeful I will be happy once it is healed. It is very expensive, and insurance only pays a small portion. I had a lot of itchy feelings and my sinuses feel itchy and strange as well. The doctor said because of the grooves are so deep in the palate. I had the best periodontist in town evidently. I'm sure he knows what he is doing and probably it is so routine he doesn't go into long conversations about every little feeling you have a question about.

I wrote my Doctor a new set of "what to expect" tips and things to know after my surgery. I'm sure he thinks I'm certifiable crazy but anyone whose gone through this "living hell" will understand.

“A patient’s perspective” …What to expect after periodontist surgery:

1. Eating will piss you off. And Hurt! You can’t chew for a few days and the thought of food swirling around in your mouth is sickening. This is Rule #1 and you need to be prepared for this one more than anything else.
…this might take longer than the first 2 days so it’s good to be prepared.
…and for God’s sake, don’t stock your fridge with a lot of food before surgery. It’ll make you upset when you look at it (1- you spent money on food you can’t eat, and 2- you can’t eat it). I remember telling my daughter that “I missed bread” … weird, but true! Who says that anyway?
2. Talking. Don’t schedule anything in the first few days post-surgery where you are the speaker or have to lead a meeting or discussion. Opening your mouth a lot will cause discomfort. Plan ahead and enjoy some alone time…or with someone close that understands your needs without you having to express them.
3. Don’t worry about smoking & drinking alcohol. You won’t feel like it and even if you do, don’t. If you drink, you might get crazy & rip the stitches out because the pain is REAL.
4. Exercise? Cleaning the house? HA! Sorry Ironmen & Iron women, you won’t feel like it for the first few days anyway, and you don’t need the Doc to tell you this. Get your comfy lounge clothes on, a pillow, blanket, warm socks and binge watch Netflix.
Now, by day 3 or most likely 4, a good walk or some yoga might be good for the mind if nothing else. Sanity is important!
But, remember, this is not the time to learn those head stands that we all see on Pinterest or Facebook. Poses like Savasana where you lie flat on your back are good for meditative states…like planning a really sweet dinner out or vacation when “Armageddon” in your mouth is over.
5. Speaking of Netflix… you can google search Top Movies or Series on Netflix and find some interesting & long series to watch… Remember, Rule #1…well, you can’t eat so get yourself absorbed in a good movie series.
6. Smoothie King is your new happy place. They have $5 32 oz. Monday’s and then they have a menu that will satisfy every taste or food you can think of and want. Since you must blend your nutrition, make it good! (they have chocolate smoothies too!)
7. At this time, it’s best to avoid spicy food. Enough said.
8. Swelling. Get ready for this. In fact, don’t look in the mirror until the 4th day. The swelling will peak on the 3rd day and trust me, it’s not pretty. Go ahead and get cold compresses ready, and take the naproxen.
9. Pain medication. Use it to sleep and sleep is very good for the healing. Remember, Rule #1? You can’t eat, so sleep.
10. If you find that you can’t sleep, then rest. Find things to occupy your time and mind. Here’s a mini list:
• Puzzles with a gazillion pieces that take days, not hours
• Adult coloring books … they have all kinds
• Netflix or other fave movie channels. Series are especially good because it’s not one and done.
• Internet searches where you almost become an investigative reporter… go deep!
• Anything that you can create with your hands that won’t stress you out
11. Let your family bring you things. Tell them about Rule #1 and let them find things that they think you can tolerate. My sister brought me some things that I hadn’t thought about & it was like a gift!
12. Honorable Mention: Brushing & Flossing. Just do your best, and don’t worry… you won’t go near the surgical sight with your toothbrush—trust me. Do keep up the warm salt water rinses because they ease swelling and make your mouth feel less like “Armageddon.”

Here’s a mini-list of some pureed, blended, smooth & soft foods that will work if you’re struggling:
• Soup (don’t make it hot though so think of soups that will taste good in a lukewarm state)
• Sweet Potatoes and Potatoes that are cooked well and then mash them up & top em with your favorite “soft” toppings.
• Smoothies.. they tell you to eat nutritiously. Well, throw fruits and veggies along with your liquid of choice and some spices, seasoning, or flavoring & you can create a meal!
• Ice cream… no brainer here. However, sometimes the frozen cold stuff isn’t any fun because you must let it sit in your mouth and then swallow it.
• Yogurts are good. The varieties are endless. Have fun & experiment!
• Puddings.
• Milkshakes.
• Applesauce. Try new flavors. Have fun & experiment …so you don’t feel like you’re a 3 yo.
• Pouches. They make veggie and fruit pouches for the kids. You can pour those in a bowl & spoon them out. They’re full of good nutrition too!
• Cream of Wheat or Oatmeal that is not too grainy or hearty. These are good too because you can blend some fruit, along with dairy or non-dairy milk and spices/sweeteners. These are good for dinner because they’re filling and help you sleep… Sleep is your friend during the healing process!
Final Tips:
Tools that are necessary: Spoons!
*Do not use or drink from a straw. You won’t feel like it so just ask for spoons if you get milkshakes, cold drinks, or smoothies.
*Drink a smoothie, milkshake, eat pudding or yogurt when you take your meds. The pain meds and naproxen can be strong on an empty stomach.
*Sad but trueDon’t go out to eat right now. Remember Rule #1… just be kind to yourself. You’ve got major healing going on in your mouth and you need to let your body do what it’s beautifully designed to do!
*It’s not the Doc’s fault that you’re in HELL right now either. If you’re the type that needs to place blame to make yourself feel better, look at your gene pool. My Dad made the mistake of telling me that he had to have the same thing… I just had to walk out of the room. No words.
Lastly, remember your WHY. During a moment of pain, I remembered that I really don’t want my teeth to start falling out and I was tired of hearing “you have recession” SO, the result of this surgery is the PRIZE!
Embrace it & Get Well Soon! Cheers!

I got my 7 lower teeth done last Thursday and have 2 questions/issues I'm experiencing (other than the normal, pain, unable to eat, etc). I would be so grateful if any of you could speak to this, especially those of you who are further along in the recovery process.

1. It feels like my bite has changed. When I bit down, I feel like I have a bit of an underbite now, and my lower teeth feel like they're being pushed inward by the upper teeth. Is this because of swelling? Does your bit go back to normal after a bit? I'm just concerned that this procedure could potentially cause another long term issue to deal with -- re-aligning bite :-/

2. I know you are not supposed to brush the grafted teeth for 2 weeks, and am doing the rinse religiously. I'm starting to get concerned that my teeth will never feel clean again. When you go in for your follow-ups, do they clean the teeth/get rid of buildup? Previously dentists, in trying to reinforce the value of regular brushing (which I always did, maybe too much!), have told me that plaque hardens in 48 hours if not brushed off, so I'm stressing about this.

Maybe I'm overthinking all this, but would love any advice!

I had the procedure done last Monday. Still painful and difficult to eat. The donor site from my palate is the worst for pain. Would only recommend this procedure if you ABSOLUTELY need it done.

How many days it took to recover

I had a gum graft three days ago, and today I have a lot of pain that feels like a throbbing ear ache. My periodontist said to take Tylenol along with Advil. Here's hoping it works!

Omg I had this surgery done 10 days ago and I can't beleive I am still on a liquid diet! My face is still swollen a bit anfd still hurts from time to time
After 7 days they removed the stiches from the roof and the doctor said my grafts wete not sticking to my roots

I had grating done 2 weeks ago, a bit tender on graft but going well. My peridontist is good, and may need another one or two done as I am in my 50's now. Follow the Dr's order including the chlorhexidine mouthwash that helps and fights bacteria. Wondering about the long term results w-gum grafting, but overall seems the benefits are worth it vs. lower and receeding gums.

I had mine 7 days ago, had a little pain where the graft was stitched to gums, nothing bad. I had zero pain where the graft was taken from until three days in. Half an ibuprofin and it goes away. I went right back to work in a day. I eat soft food very slowly on one side of mouth so gum stitches do not pop. I was warned this was going to be bad, i must have an amazing dentist.. this was nothing. Youll be fine, ibu profin works the best.

I just had my gum grafting done on Tuesday, today is now Monday so almost a week. The first 3 days I did not have much pain. days 3-6 the roof of my mouth has been burning! Can't eat or drink water even without it hurting so bad. When will this pain end! The stitches don't even hurt that bad, its the roof of my mouth where they took the gum from! Even my teeth everywhere are aching now. I just want to be normal again!!! I do not think I will ever get this procedure again!

Yes - the teeth feeling mis-aligned is definitely a side-effect of the swelling. Apparently this can last up to a couple of weeks - and don't try to force the teeth back into position by clenching. That will increase the pain. I'm going through this right now - had 5 lower front teeth done Thursday afternoon. Friday was a cake-walk (I thought "this is no big deal") and yesterday and today have been NO FUN at all. Palette aches, achy all over my face generally and couldn't chew if my life depended on it.

And yes - your mouth won't feel as clean as you'd like, but do your best, stay away from the grafted area with any brush, don't LOOK at the grafted area (pulling on your lips can disturb the graft), follow your periodontist's instructions to the letter, and they will clean your teeth after, particularly if you're using one of the chlorhexidine rinses, which tends to (a)stain your teeth and (b)make plaque form.

I wonder if you'll see this since this is an old post. I just had mine done fri, today is Monday. I also have the weird smell. It's nothing major, but there. Was your odor normal, not caused by any problems?

I had the gum tissue grafting surgery 3 days ago, for 3 teeth, lower left. The donor site doesn't hurt too badly, but I have increasingly unbearable pain in the graft site. Is this "normal"? Been taking pain meds around the clock.