You have always had a disproportionate smile between your teeth and gums—you have a “gummy” smile. Then, your dentist tells you about a treatment that can get rid of the excess gum tissue and give you a more balanced look. Through gum recontouring, you can expose more of the tooth enamel and make your teeth appear longer and more visually proportioned. You look forward to the results of this procedure but are a little nervous about what the recovery will be like. In this post you will learn about gum recontouring aftercare and how you can make sure your treatment will be successful and stress free.
Manage Any Discomfort
If your dentist uses a soft tissue laser, you should experience very little discomfort. In fact, many patients do not require any local anesthetic when the procedure is performed with this device. However, with or without a soft tissue laser, if you do have some sensitivity in your gums following the procedure, feel free to take over-the-counter pain medication. With a day or two, your gums should basically be back to normal. Contact your dentist if the pain persists or gets worse.
Reduce Swelling and Bleeding
While your gums heal, they may be a little swollen. In this case, you can apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth. This will help numb the area and slow blood flow, reducing swelling. Again, if your dentist uses a soft tissue laser, your bleeding should be minimal, but slight pressure with gauze should be enough to bring any bleeding under control.
Eat Soft Foods
While your gums may be sensitive, it is a good idea to only eat soft foods for a few days. Stick to mashed potatoes, soft pastas, eggs, oatmeal, and other menu items that are easy to chew, and stay away from nuts, chips, popcorn, and other foods that may disrupt your healing gums. Throughout the process, make sure you stay properly hydrated to help keep the area clean as well.
Maintain Normal Oral Hygiene
The last thing you want to deal with following gum recontouring is tooth decay or gum disease. Rinse with warm salt water for a couple of days to make sure that gum tissue doesn’t become infected. However, even on the first day, make sure that you continue brushing and flossing as usual. Just do it a little more gently until your gums are no longer sensitive to the touch.
Overall, the aftercare instructions for gum recontouring are pretty simple and straightforward, especially for patients who undergo this procedure with a soft tissue laser. If complications or questions come up at any point in the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist in Lincoln. They can help you know what to expect and make sure that you love the results!
About the Practice
At Pioneer Greens Dentistry, patient comfort is a first priority. That’s why Dr. Chris Haag, Dr. Claire Haag, and Dr. Sean Pauley have equipped the practice with the best technology in the industry, specifically a soft tissue laser. They use this tech to perform gum recontouring with minimal discomfort and bleeding. If you have questions about this procedure, or if you would like to schedule a consultation for gum recontouring, you can contact Pioneer Greens here.