Life post gum graft surgery – UGH!
^^ How I’ve spent most of the week.
Last Wednesday I had to get a gum graft for a receding lower gum line. They took gum from the roof of my mouth and stitched it to the lower gum line.
The actual procedure wasn’t that bad. I was expecting huge needles and lots of blood, but the needles were tiny and painless, and I never tasted blood! It wasn’t as bad as having a cavity drilled. (Lorazepam helped!)
I have what looks/feels like silly putty on the roof of my mouth protecting that area (which hasn’t bothered me one bit) but my lower right gums where the graft is has been AWFUL!
I’m on day 6 now, and not to be too dramatic, but I’m declaring this recovery worse then either of my births. If I get behind on ibuprofen, my whole jaw just starts to burn and throb. Between my foot surgery, wisdom teeth, and my two births, I never had this much consistent pain for this long, day and night. (I know it is good that I haven’t had other terrible procedures, I know). Sheesh!! Eating is getting easier though, and hopefully the worst is behind me. (Except that I’m supposed to have the other side done in the future – ugh! I might just not do it.)
The Ride Home
Obviously eating has been difficult, and I’ve been on a mushy food diet. I have another blog post coming about how I navigated nutrition during this time, so stay tuned for more details on that in the coming weeks. I’ve had lots of smoothies and ice cream.
Splendid Spoon smoothies are ready to drink, no prep, and they’re built with real protein instead of just being juice in a nice bottle. They are GOOD! There’s a one-time gift box of 10 smoothies with no subscription required — it’s a little hidden, so go to Discover, then Gift Shop to find it. I’ve sent these to new moms or those recovering a general surgery, too.
I also had this local juice grown on a small farm in Front Royal, Virginia. Great way to get greens if you can’t chew! If you’re looking for local greens this season, check out Robby D’s Lil Greens.
Been drinking this for healing!
The Last Suppers
But here’s everything I ate the week before when I could still eat everything: burgers, corn on the cob, crunchy bread, sandwiches, lots of granola!
Mazen made burgers for dinner, and I had one for lunch the next day.
Blue Apron Buffalo Cheesy Chicken + The World Cup!
Blue Apron Salmon + Smashed potatoes
Fancy Happy Hour at Aster
Hugh Jass Salads with Fishwife Salmon
(These salads were consumed before the cyclospora news was really peaking. I’m not really able to eat salads right now, so that timing worked out well.)
Yogurt Bowl Parade
It’s been a fresh + yogurt kinda summer! Or was…
I’ve been obsessing over nectarines!
Final breakfast on the way to the appointment:
Someone else had dental news this week
B lost his fifth tooth!
Final Soccer Game
I timed my surgery with the end of soccer season since I can’t exercise for a week 🙁 It was a heck of a season – summer is the best!
Hope you have a lovely week!
Elizabeth says
I had gum graft surgery a few years ago in 8 places. Recovery was slow but I was glad I did it all at one time. I knew I wouldn’t want to go in again if I did it in two phases. I ate normally after about 3 weeks although the roof of my mouth was tender for a while. Hang in there. Ice cream really helps!
Kath Younger says
I really wanted him to do both at once but he wouldn’t!!! But now having been through how awful just one side was, there is no way I could have done both at once. I wouldn’t have been able to chew anything. But then again, I would have just prepared for much worse and then never have to do it again.
Katie says
I feel your pain! I’ve had three separate gum grafts (recent one a year ago). I didn’t find the procedure to be bad either, but by the end of the two-week recovery, I was so over eating mushy foods. I’m prepping for a lifetime of gum grafts, though. Teeth grinder (I do wear a nightguard), thin gums, and a lifetime habit of brushing too hard despite all my efforts to take it easy. Hope the rest of your recovery goes well. I’m very interested in your nutrition post since I’ll likely need it in the near future!
Kath Younger says
Solidarity! I think I have all the same troubles :/
Sarah W says
Oh no! I have to get a small part of my gums grafted (only one tooth is acting up!) in a couple weeks…Hoping for a relatively quick recovery. 🙂
Kath Younger says
Lean into the pain meds! I should have taken more I think.
Alice says
Ugh, I need to get gum graft surgery at some point and I’m dreading it! Wishing you a speedy recovery, hopefully the worst is over!
Kath Younger says
Thank you, I hope so too! (Except I should do it again). Good luck with yours.
Kim says
I had graft surgery as well and I found the roof of the mouth worse than other areas. It felt like a massive pizza cheese burn! It does get better. Be sure you use an electric toothbrush with a soft brush and a rubber tipped gum stimulator daily.
Kath Younger says
The roof of my mouth is still covered and hasn’t hurt me once this whole week which I find so surprising! Maybe when this bandage thing falls off it will be worse, so I’m trying not to mess with it.
Maggie Frye says
I am so sorry the post surgery time has been painful! I hope that you turn a corner soon, you WILL eat solids again one day!!
Would you mind sharing where you got your lamp with the cool wooden legs? It is in the photo by your tv – I love the style! And congrats on the new place!
Kath Younger says
It’s a wayfair lamp circa 2014, but my link to it no longer works 🙁
Krys says
I just had one at the end of June and had one 17 years ago. I don’t remember the first one being so hard but I was also fresh out of college with no responsibilities. I also told the surgeon I’d rather give birth without pain medication on pitocin again than do that. I’m allergic to ibuprofen too so I only had Tylenol for the pain. It did nothing ?
I’m also supposed to do it again in 6 months. I think I’ll just lose the tooth. Chalk it up to a loss.
Kath Younger says
Haha I said the same thing “Just get me a new tooth if that happens.” Tylenol did nothing for me. IBP is king. So sorry about your allergy!
Rachel says
I have had three gum grafts (one at 19 and two in the last three years). All of my dentists have made me feel like it was from something I have been doing wrong. But turns out, my teeth clenching (and related recession) is related to my tiny mouth and the fact that when I was younger my dentist extracted permanent teeth versus expanding my palate. I clench in my sleep to try and get more air because my tongue is blocking my airway due to my tiny mouth. Anyways, I also suffer from a lot of jaw pain that is also related to the clenching. If you can find the right dentist to make you the proper bottom night guard it can help. You need your tongue to be able to properly rest on the roof of your mouth. Long term options include adult palate expansion but that’s really expensive. Hope this info helps you or anyone else reading.
Anyways, the gum grafts are awful. Painful and after days and days of eating soft, mushy foods I would dream about biting into a burger. Getting the stitches out after two weeks was also quite unpleasant but then sort of a relief afterwards.
Kath Younger says
Ooof! I’ve had dentists tell me it’s from brushing, and my latest one said it’s “just your bite.” Such a shame since I had a palate expander and 2 years of braces to “fix” my bite! I really don’t want to wear a night guard – I tried and it was fine, but turns out it was the wrong kind, so that was a few hundred dollars down the drain. Teeth are annoying!!! I think my stitches dissolve. I’ll find out at followup on August 1!
Julie says
Thanks for sharing your experience! I will also need to do some gum grafting after I’m done my Invisalign treatment ( at the age of almost 46!) I am (was) an agressive teeth brusher and jaw clencher, which apparently contributed to the gum issues. I’ll refer back to this post when the time comes, for some good advice!
Happy recovery!
Kath Younger says
My advice is clear your calendar and plan for the worst. But hope for the best!!