Recovering After Gum Contouring

Have you always wanted to have your gums reshaped? You may be wondering what to expect from the procedure, and even what to expect from the recovery. For some people, it is not their teeth they have always wanted to change about their smile, but their gums. Whether you have gums that sit low and make your teeth look long or you have gums that sit too high making your teeth appear too small, gum contouring is a procedure that can help you. Gum contouring, often called gum reshaping, is a dental procedure used to correct misshapen or misaligned gums, improving the overall appearance of the smile. Below is more information on what to expect from the procedure and the post-procedure recovery.

Gum Contouring Procedure

Thanks to advances in dental technologies, gum contouring has become an easy and relatively simple procedure. Most dentists and periodontists use either a scalpel or a small laser to trim away the excess tissue, reshape the gum line, and seal the tissue to prevent further bleeding. The procedure itself is fairly painless thanks to the local anesthetics used to numb the tissue. The entire procedure can be done in just one dental visit within a short amount of time.

Post-procedure Recovery Time

After the gum contouring procedure, you can expect the treated gum tissue to heal quickly with little discomfort. Recovery f will take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. There are some simple tips you can follow to help move your recovery along smoothly:

• Keep it clean: After the procedure, it is important to take care of the area that was treated by keeping in clean. A saline rinse (a teaspoon of salt is added to eight ounces of warm water and a capful of hydrogen peroxide), is a great way to keep the area clean. Rinse after ever meal to help clean off any food debris.
• Diet: It also helps to avoid irritating the tissue. Hard foods that are crunchy or contain seeds can cause irritation to the tender tissue and should be avoided. Stick to soft foods, such as yogurt, pasta, and soft veggies for a few days to allow the tissue time to heal.
• Daily Hygiene: Continue to brush and floss your teeth daily, and when you do brush try to be more gentle than usual.

What to Do After the Procedure to Help with Pain

You can expect some mild pain and discomfort after the gum contouring procedure, but it should be easy for you to manage. Pain should not last more than a few days. To help with pain try:

Over the counter medication: Try over the counter pain relievers to help with pain. Medications with aspirin should be avoided because they thin the blood.

Limit Activity: Limit your physical activity, especially any strenuous activity, for a few days post procedure. Too much activity can cause blood to flow to the area too quickly, which will increase pain, swelling and even bleeding.

More on Gum Contouring : How Much Does Gum Contouring Cost?