Leading up to your appointment, try to rest as much as possible and limit physical activity. Doing so will help ensure that you are in a calm state of mind while the procedure is being performed, which will make it easier for your dentist or periodontist to perform the gum contouring at Marin Contemporary Perio is a safe and efficient manner. Once the procedure is complete, the most effective ways to limit pain, reduce your risk of developing complications, and enjoy a fast recovery process is to follow these and any aftercare instructions provided to you. Provided you follow these instructions closely, the healing process should be completed within 7-10 days.
Aftercare Following Gum Contouring
Although the gum contouring procedure is relatively painless, you will need to make slight modifications to your daily care for the first 7-10 days following your procedure to ensure a fast and effective healing process.
Limit Activity
Although you can engage in light activities following your procedure, it is best to avoid engaging in any strenuous or high impact activity for the first two or three days. Engaging in strenuous activities can increase blood flow, which increases your risk of swelling, bleeding, and discomfort.
Modified Diet
It is common to experiencing gum sensitivity following your gum contouring procedure. To help alleviate this discomfort and avoid developing complications, stick to a soft food diet for the first few days following your procedure. You may begin to slowly reintroduce harder foods as the discomfort diminishes, but it is especially important to avoid foods that are hard or crunchy immediately following the procedure, as they can irritate the gum tissue and prolong your recovery time.
Prescription Medication, Over-the-Counter Medication, and Antibiotics
Most discomfort or pain that is experienced following the gum contouring procedure can be managed using OTC medication. Ibuprofen is fine to use, but it is important to avoid any medication that contains aspirin, as they will thin the blood and increase your risk of bleeding. Patients with more severe cases or heightened gum sensitivity may be prescribed pain-relieving medication, which should be taken as directed until the prescription runs out. Antibiotics may also be prescribed for patients who are at an increased risk of developing an infection.
Oral Hygiene
You can return to brushing and flossing your teeth following the gum contouring procedure, but be sure to brush gently on the areas of the gums where contouring has been performed. Rinsing with diluted salt water may also be recommended to keep the mouth sanitary during the recovery process.
How to Reduce Swelling
Swelling can be managed with ice packs and should begin to diminish after the first few days. Do not ice the area for longer than twenty-minute intervals.
Follow-up Appointment
Following your gum contouring procedure, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled to evaluate the health of your gums and ensure complications have not developed. If you have followed these aftercare instructions and are still experiencing side effects such as bleeding or severe pain, contact your dentist to schedule an appointment to address any complications that may have developed.
More Information on Gum Contouring : How Much Does Gum Contouring Cost?
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When you come to Marin Contemporary Perio and Implant Concepts, you can expect a friendly and professional dental team. Dr. Seda will listen carefully to your dental goals and provide a custom treatment plan that works with your budget and needs. We want you to fall in love with your smile again, so all our services are performed with the patient in mind. We want you to feel comfortable in the dental chair, and to feel confident in our services.
At Marin Contemporary Perio and Implant Concepts, we aim to provide cutting edge perio and implant solutions in a comfortable and relaxed environment, where patients feel we put them first. Scheduling an appointment for All-on-4 Dental Implants is the first step towards being confident in your smile once again. To schedule an appointment, please contact us today at (415) 482-9901.