You just had a Gingivectomy procedure done.
After leaving our dental office today, we suggest you consider relaxing or at least limiting your activity as much as possible for the remainder of the day. Avoid strenuous activity and aerobic exercise for the next 3 days.
Things you may experience after a Gingivectomy procedure:
- DISCOMFORT: Some discomfort may be present. We advised you to take OTC medication for discomfort.
- SWELLING: It is normal for some swelling to occur after surgery, particularly in the lower jaw. To minimize swelling after surgery, apply an ice bag wrapped in a light tea towel or handkerchief to the outside of your face over the operated area. This should be left on your face for about 20 minutes, then removed for 20 minutes, or alternated from side-to-side, between operated areas, for 2-3 hours after surgery. The use of both ice and the NSAID analgesic will reduce the amount and duration of facial swelling.
- BLEEDING: It is common to have slight bleeding for a few hours following periodontal surgery. If bleeding persists, apply a tea bag to the surgical site with firm but gentle pressure for 15-20
minutes. Let yourself rest for 15 minutes then repeat the application of the tea bag for a second time if you still have slight bleeding. If excessive bleeding continues, please call our office. Remember, most of the blood you may see in your mouth is actually a little bit of blood mixed with a lot of saliva. Blood is a very strong “dye” and a little bit of blood will color your saliva dramatically.
Things to consider after a Gingivectomy procedure:
- ORAL HYGIENE: Brushing and oral hygiene procedures should be done as usual in all untreated areas. In exposed, operated areas limit your oral hygiene to brushing using a soft-bristled toothbrush. In areas covered by a periodontal dressing, brush only the chewing surfaces of teeth. Avoid dental flossing in operated areas during the first week following surgery. Use warm salt water rinses, three times a day, during the first week following the surgery. Also, avoid the use of water irrigation devices such as Water-piks for 1 month following surgery. The exposed operated areas should be gently swabbed with a Q-tip (cotton-tipped applicator) saturated with Peridex (Chlorhexidine) as a last oral hygiene procedure at bedtime and again in the morning, after eating and drinking.
- EATING AND DRINKING: Do not eat until the anesthesia (numbness) has worn off. High protein foods and liquids are desirable for 3-5 days following surgery. Semi-solid foods may be eaten as long as this may be done comfortably. Eggs, custard, yogurt, pasta, steamed vegetables, casseroles, cooked cereals are some things that you might consider eating during the first few days following your surgery.
Avoid spicy, salty, acidic, very hot or very cold foods or liquids. Also, avoid nuts, chips or other crunchy or fibrous foods which may become caught between your teeth. No smoking or drinking through a straw and no carbonated or alcoholic beverages for 72 hours following surgery. - USE OF REMOVABLE DENTAL APPLIANCES: If you normally wear a removable appliance that
replaces missing teeth, and it rests on the operated area, it is best to minimize the use of this
appliance as any pressure on the surgical site could be detrimental to healing and cause
discomfort.