Recovery after gum surgery
What follows a procedure on the gum, and how to clean the treated area.
How recovery goes
The first 24 hours
Don't brush the treated area on the first day and don't rinse hard. Ice held on the cheek with breaks reduces swelling. Eat soft, lukewarm food on the other side and take the recommended painkiller at the times written down.
The first 3 days
Use the recommended mouthwash gently twice a day. Brush your other teeth as normal. A slightly swollen, tender gum is to be expected.
The first two weeks
At the check-up we remove the stitches and show you how to clean the area with a very soft brush. Until then, don't floss or use interdental brushes right on the treated area.
After the first month
The gum tightens as it heals, and the teeth may look slightly longer and feel more sensitive to cold. The sensitivity fades over time; regular check-ups keep the result.
This is usual
- A swollen, tender gum in the first days.
- Light bleeding when touched in the first week.
- Sensitivity to cold in the following weeks.
- Teeth that look slightly longer once healed.
This is not usual
- Pain that gets worse after the third day.
- Swelling that grows after the third day.
- A bad taste or pus at the gum.
- A temperature above 38°C.
Call us if
- Bleeding that doesn't stop after 30 minutes of steady pressure with gauze.
- Swelling spreading towards the eye or the throat, or difficulty swallowing.
- Difficulty breathing: call 112.
Reviewed by Dr. Voinea ·
CMDR Romania · Galați University of Medicine and Pharmacy · General Dentistry