Maintaining optimum oral health has never been more important as we discover more and more links between our oral health and our overall health and well being. Periodontal (gum) disease has been connected with a number of other serious health concerns such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure.
The good news is that if you struggle with gum disease as most American adults do, there are treatment strategies to help you effectively manage your condition. Our highly skilled team of doctors at Handsman & Haddad Periodontics have many years of experience in helping patients manage their gum disease. Your periodontist in Worchester discusses gum grafting treatment and its benefits.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease occurs when the tissue and bone that support your teeth become infected. This happens when plaque build up causes your gum tissue to separate from your tooth, which allows the bacteria in that causes infection. Periodontal disease causes your gum tissue to recede, which exposes your tooth and eventually your root and causes sensitivity and further damage. If left untreated, gum disease will cause your bone to deteriorate, leading to tooth loss.
What is Gum Grafting?
For patients who have lost gum tissue to periodontal disease, vigorous brushing, or poor oral hygiene, recession is not only unsightly, it’s also sensitive and painful. Gum grafting is a surgical procedure in which a thin layer of healthy gum tissue is extracted from the roof of your mouth and carefully applied to your areas of recession in order to cover and protect your exposed root.
What is the Recovery Process After Gum Grafting?
We’ll give you specific instructions for making the recovery process as easy and efficient as possible. Depending on the type of gum surgery you have, our doctors may prescribe pain medication to be taken as needed. We also may recommend an antibacterial rinse to help control plaque build up during healing, and you may be prescribed an antibiotic to avoid infection.
Eating soft foods will be important during the first week after surgery, so be sure to stock up on pastas, yogurt, eggs and ice cream. You’ll also be asked to avoid brushing or flossing the area that’s healing.
Having a surgical procedure done can feel stressful and overwhelming, but we’re happy to guide you through the process from start to finish. Whether you work with Dr. David Handsman, Dr. Abraham Haddad, or Dr. Todd Jenny, you can rest assured that you’re in the hands of an accomplished and experienced dental professional. Contact our office today to learn more about gum grafting.
