Overview

Gum graft surgery is also known as mucogingival surgery. It is used to repair gums.

After surgery it's important to look after your mouth to help your healing, and give you the best possible outcome. It's also important to manage any side effects after gum surgery, such as swelling or discomfort, to make you as comfortable as possible.

Do not pull back your lips or cheeks to see inside your mouth. Doing this can affect how your wound heals, and the time it takes to heal.

Looking after your wound

Healing plate

You might be given a healing plate to wear after gum graft surgery. This is a plastic plate that protects the area in your mouth where you had surgery.

Wear the healing plate for the first day after surgery, without removing it. After this, wear it when you need to for comfort.

Make sure you remove, and carefully clean, the healing plate on both sides with your toothbrush and toothpaste when you clean your teeth. 

Brushing your teeth

Do not brush the area where you had surgery. You can brush the rest of your mouth as you usually would.

At your review appointment your dental team will check how your wound is healing. They will talk to you about when you can clean your mouth as you usually would.

Mouthwash

Use a mouthwash 2 or 3 times a day, for 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. This will keep your mouth and wound clean, and lower the risk of an infection.

You should use the mouthwash around the area you had surgery, for 1 minute each time.

Use chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthwash (such as Corsodyl^®), which you can buy from a pharmacy or shop. If you are allergic to chlorhexidine, speak to your dentist about other mouthwashes you can use.

Stitches

You will have dissolvable or non-dissolvable stitches.

• Dissolvable stitches do not need to be removed.
• Non-dissolvable stitches will usually need removing 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. They will be removed at your review appointment.

Antibiotics

Some people are given antibiotics to take after surgery to lower the risk of an infection. If you have any allergies to medicines, please let your dentist know.

If you are given antibiotics, make sure you complete the full course.

Diet

For 1 week after surgery, you should eat a soft diet. You should feel more comfortable going back to your normal diet after a week.

Try to avoid the area that has been treated when eating. Eat using the other side of your mouth.

Activity

Get plenty of rest after surgery. Do not do any vigorous activity (such as exercise) for 24 hours after surgery, as this can lead to discomfort, or bleeding. 

Avoid activities or sports that could cause you to bump or knock your mouth and face for 2 to 4 weeks after surgery.

Side effects after surgery

Pain or discomfort

Some people feel some discomfort after surgery. If you have any discomfort, it should start to feel better after 1 week.

It is best to start taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, before your local anaesthetic wears off. This will be about 1 hour after surgery.

After 7 days, if you have pain that is not getting any better, or is getting much worse, contact your dental team at the hospital.

You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen at the same time, or spaced apart throughout the day. Ibuprofen is best taken with food, or on a full stomach.

To get the best pain relief, take paracetamol and then take ibuprofen 2 hours afterwards. After 2 hours take paracetamol again, and continue. Taking the medicines this way will give you continuous pain relief.

• Make sure you follow the instructions on the label or leaflet of the painkillers.
• Do not take more than the recommended amount (dose) of either paracetamol or ibuprofen. 

If you have allergies, or any other problems with paracetamol or ibuprofen, ask your dental team for more advice on which painkillers to take.

Swelling

Swelling can take 2 to 3 days to appear after surgery, and up to 2 weeks to go down completely. This depends on the type of surgery you had, and how long the surgery lasted.

You might want to use a cold pack on the day of your surgery to reduce any swelling. Wrap some ice in a cloth and hold it against your skin. Do not put ice directly onto your skin.

Bleeding

Your bleeding will be controlled before you leave the hospital.

You might notice some bleeding from your gums in the first 2 days after surgery. You might also see a redness in your spit (saliva). This is normal.

If you notice bleeding that does not stop, use your finger and the gauze you were given to put firm pressure on the area. Do this for at least 30 minutes. If you do not have a gauze, use a clean, cotton handkerchief.

Review appointment

You will have a review appointment 1 to 4 weeks after surgery. At this appointment, your stitches will be removed (if they're not dissolvable), and your dental team will check how your wound is healing.