Healing After Gum Contouring
Gum contouring is a straightforward dental surgery procedure that’s performed in a single office visit, following the initial consultation. This procedure can be performed with traditional surgical tools like scalpels, or with more advanced tools like lasers or radiosurgery methods. Gum tissue usually heals relatively quickly and with only mild discomfort, creating lasting results that can dramatically improve the appearance of a gummy smile or an otherwise uneven or imbalanced gum line. While it’s not advisable to engage in strenuous activities on the same day as a gum contouring procedure, normal activity can usually resume shortly after the procedure, though certain aftercare measures are needed to help ensure fast, effective healing. Your dentist will review your specific aftercare recommendations, but there are some general guidelines that can help with healing across the board.
What Can I Do to Support Healing?
Most patients experience some level of discomfort after gum contouring, once the anesthetic used for the procedure wears off. Over-the-counter medications are generally effective in treating any pain, discomfort, or soreness. Patients also find relief in using a saline rinse, both to manage pain and to keep the oral cavity clean. Dentists recommend a mixture of eight ounces of warm water combined with a teaspoon of salt and about a half teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide. Rinsing with this solution, especially after eating, can help rinse away food debris and keep the gums free of bacteria while also soothing the tissues as they heal. It’s normal for the gum tissue to scab as it heals, and areas of gum tissue may shed as these scabs heal; again, a saline rinse helps rinse away this tissue and keep the area clean and comfortable. Follow your dentist’s recommendations on when to resume brushing your teeth and how to brush them, making sure you use gentle strokes and a soft-bristled toothbrush. As an additional measure to keep the oral tissues clean and to prevent irritation as the tissues heal, avoid spicy or very acidic foods until the gums are completely healed, and be cautious when eating foods that have small or sharp pieces, like popcorn, sesame or poppy seeds, or seeded berries or fruits. It’s important to rinse or brush after eating, and it’s particularly important to clean the oral cavity after eating foods like these that might leave bits lodged between the teeth or below the gum line. Dentists recommend eating mild, soft foods for at least a few days after gum contouring, to help ensure that the gum tissue isn’t irritated and that the surgical sites have the time and space needed to heal. Some recommendations include pasta, ice cream, yogurt, cooked vegetables, and scrambled eggs. In most cases, patients can resume a normal diet after a week or two, as the tissues continue to heal.
How Long Will Healing Take?
The timeline for healing from gum contouring varies from patient to patient, depending on the number of teeth being modified, the extent of the procedure, and the type of surgery chosen. Additionally, it’s common for patients to require preparatory procedures, like periodontal treatment, before contouring is recommended, and many patients undergo contouring procedures as part of a larger dental restoration. In these cases, healing from the gum contouring is only one step of a larger procedure, and overall healing times will be extended. The best way to expedite healing and ensure that it’s successful is to follow dentist’s aftercare recommendations, and the best way to estimate healing times, along with an overall procedure timeline, is to see your dentist for a consultation, so call today to learn more.