Is Gum Soreness Normal After Oral Surgery?

From oral cancer treatment to placing dental implants, oral surgery can play a critical role in correcting severe problems and restoring a healthy, beautiful smile. Once the surgery is complete, many patients wonder if they’ll have gum soreness, and if they do, how to tell if the soreness they’re experiencing is normal or a sign of a complication, like an infection.

Richard Blackburn, DMD, MA, has extensive experience in state-of-the-art oral surgery procedures, providing patients at Volterra Dental with the care they need to enjoy the best possible oral health at every age. If oral surgery is in your future, here’s what you should know about sore gums following your procedure.

Why gum soreness happens

Many oral surgeries involve cutting open gum tissue to expose and access the lower portions of one or more teeth or to access the jaw bone. It makes sense that tissue trauma can be a major cause of gum soreness following an oral surgery procedure. Think about it: Even a cut on your finger can cause discomfort, so it makes sense that a larger wound in your gum tissue — even though intentional — can cause discomfort, too.

In the earliest stages of healing, it’s not uncommon to have swelling and inflammation in and around the surgical site. Inflammation is a natural part of healing, but swelling increases pressure inside your gums, which can also cause discomfort.

In the later stages of healing, you might have some additional minor discomfort from sutures. Even when dissolvable sutures are used, the edges may still rub against the gums (or even your tongue or cheek) before they finally dissolve or are removed. Sometimes, gentle pulling that happens when the edges of the gum tissue “knit” together can cause minor soreness.

When to call our office

While some level of soreness is to be expected, it’s important to know when soreness could be a sign of a developing infection. Typically, discomfort decreases as healing progresses. If you notice your pain getting worse, if it spreads to other areas of your mouth or face, or if it becomes severe, it’s definitely a sign that you should call the office right away.

Likewise, if swelling becomes excessive instead of subsiding during the first week or so of healing, it could be a sign of a developing infection. Excessively red gums or other discoloration around the surgical site also needs to be reported to our team.

Finally, if you develop a fever or if you have pus or other discharge from the area, you should give us a call. Pus can also cause a sour taste in your mouth or persistently bad breath, so if you notice these symptoms—even if you don’t actually see pus—give us a call.

How to soothe your gums

Most gum soreness resolves within a few days, but in the meantime, there are some steps you can take to help soothe gum tissue and feel better. Depending on your procedure, we may prescribe pain medication for a day or two afterward, but most people do well with over-the-counter medication to relieve pain and swelling.

Keeping your head elevated while sleeping and applying ice packs to your cheek throughout the day can also help reduce pain and swelling. Always place a lightweight cloth between an icepack and your skin, and use the pack for no more than 15-20 minutes at a time.

For the first couple of days, stick to a liquid diet and soft foods to avoid irritation. Skip hot foods and avoid using straws since even mild suction can dislodge protective blood clots or initiate bleeding. Be sure to clean the area thoroughly but gently, following the care instructions we provide at the end of your visit.

Make better oral health a priority

Oral surgery can’t always be avoided, but you can decrease your need for complex dental treatments by taking good care of your teeth with proper at-home care and regular dental visits. To learn more about oral surgery or to schedule a checkup, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Blackburn and the team at Volterra Dental in Los Alamitos, California, today.