Being thoroughly prepared for your gum surgery and thoughtful aftercare greatly improve the chances for a successful recovery from gum surgery.

During the initial consultation you should let your periodontist know about any medical conditions or medications you are taking at the initial appointment.

Most gum surgery procedures require deep sedation to insure your comfort. If this is the case you will need to arrange to have someone drive you. Having someone at home to help you for a few days while you get back on your feet will help you rest and keep your body focused on healing.

You will need to eat a soft foods diet while your gums are healing. It’s a good idea to stock up in advance on foods like applesauce, mashed potatoes and yogurt. Proper hydration is essential to recovery. Be sure to drink plenty of lukewarm liquids and avoid using a straw. The suction can harm the incisions or pull blood clots loose.

Keep some sterile gauze on hand. It’s not uncommon for the incisions to bleed a little for a few days after the surgery. You can pack the area lightly with sterile gauze to stop the bleeding. Then gently rinse with salt water to clean your mouth.

Avoid using tobacco during recover as it will irritate the gum tissue, increases healing time and increase the risk of infection. Talk to your doctor in advance about a cessation program that’s right for you.

If you have questions about planning for your procedure or things you can do to help the recovery process, please call us at 918-743-1351 to schedule an appointment.