Gum Grafting Instructions

Before Surgery

Make sure you have read over our Patient Instructions for Surgery.  This information will provide specific instructions for patients having a gum graft.

After Surgery

For 3 days after your surgery, DO NOT spit, smoke, rinse hard, drink through a straw, create a “sucking” action in your mouth, use a commercial mouthwash, drink carbonated soda, or use an oral irrigating device. Doing any of these can disrupt clotting, the healing process, open the incision and cause the graft to fail.

Do not eat or drink (room temperature if fine) spicy foods or foods with tiny seeds / “chippy”, “crunchy” foods.  Let comfort be your guide.  A soft diet is best for the first week, but if you are comfortable eating it, go ahead!

For the next 8-10 days or until your sutures are removed:

• Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco.
• Do not take in liquids through a straw.
• Do not lift or pull on lip to look at sutures “stitches”.
• Do not lie on side of face over area of surgery.
• Do not eat solid food in the area of the graft until instructed.
• Do not press over area of surgery
• Do not brush grafted area until your sutures are removed.
• Do not brush the grafted area; after 1-week you can gently swab with a Q-tip dipped in Chlorhexidine antiseptic mouthwash before rinsing, 2 x daily.

Notify the office if:

• Your medications do not relieve your discomfort
• If you develop a fever above 99.5F
• If you have any unusual swelling, uncontrolled bleeding or discharge
• If a stitch becomes loose it is not urgent; contact our office on the next business day for instructions.