Caring For Your Tissue Regeneration
Today we placed a membrane and often a graft to regrow the bone and tissue that gum disease destroyed around your tooth. The membrane protects the area so your body can rebuild what was lost. The next two weeks of gentle care are what make it succeed. Here is how.
The First Few Days
- Soreness and mild swelling are normal as the area heals.
- Rest with your head elevated. Ice the cheek 20 on, 20 off the first 24 hours.
- Some oozing the first day is normal. Gentle gauze pressure helps.
Protect The Site
- You have a membrane and stitches. Leave them alone. Do not pull your lip to look.
- Do not brush the site until we clear you. Brush your other teeth normally.
- No smoking, which starves the area of the blood flow it needs to rebuild.
Eating & Comfort
- Take your medication on schedule, including any antibiotic exactly as prescribed.
- Soft, cool foods for several days, chewing away from the site.
- No straws or vigorous swishing the first few days.
- For tender gums, vitamin E can soothe and help healing. Take it over the counter, or break a gel capsule and rub it on the gums. You can also ask us for StellaLife gel.
Call Us If
- Bleeding that is heavy and will not slow with pressure.
- The membrane or stitches come off in the first few days.
- Pain or swelling that worsens after day 3, or a fever.
- A bad taste or odor that does not clear, or anything that concerns you.
How To Help Your Body Rebuild
Your body can regrow bone and tissue when the site is protected and clean. Guard it now and you get back what gum disease took.
- Leave the site undisturbed while it heals, gentle cleaning only until we clear you, and no smoking.
- Keep your follow-up visits so we can check healing and remove the membrane and stitches at the right time.
- Stay on your periodontal maintenance schedule afterward so the disease cannot return and undo the regeneration.
Protect it while it heals and give your body the chance to rebuild what was lost!
Questions about your procedure or your recovery? Call the office anytime. We are here for you!
