Gum disease – also known as periodontal disease – is a common bacterial infection of the gums. Plaque bacteria and tartar build up on the teeth and along and below the gum line. This causes inflammation and can eventually erode the gum tissue and bone that supports the teeth.i According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in two American adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease. It’s generally caused by poor oral hygiene and can even lead to tooth loss if left untreated.i Gum problems can be identified by changes to the appearance of the teeth and gums, as well as less visible signs such as bad breath, pain or soreness, and a foul taste in the mouth.

What Does Gum Disease Look Like?

One of the most obvious warning sign of gum disease is noticing any blood when you brush your teeth. You should also look out for any changes to the appearance of your smile. Healthy gums are light pink in color and feel firm to the touch, while those affected by gum disease will change to a darker pink, red, or even purple color as the infection develops - and receding gums can cause teeth to look longer. You might also notice new gaps appearing in your smile or a gap between the tooth and gum. Your teeth and gums may also begin to feel looser. When gums recede or pull away from your teeth, gaps – or ‘pockets’ - may form. If left untreated, bacteria can collect in these pockets, which can lead to the formation of gum abscesses.

How Do You Get Gum Disease?

In most cases, gum disease is caused by poor oral hygiene – not brushing and flossing regularly or thoroughly enough. Plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria, which forms on the teeth and is removed by brushing and flossing. If plaque is allowed to build up, it forms a harder substance along and below the gum line called tartar, which can't be removed by brushing or flossing alone.ii The bacteria in plaque can cause an infection, which can progress over time if left untreated,eventually leading to gum inflammation and ultimately eroding the tissue and bones (periodontium) that support the teeth.ii Besides poor oral hygiene, a number of other factors can put you at higher risk for the development of gum disease. These can include:ii> Hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy and menopause Illnesses that cause a decrease in your body’s immunity, such as cancer or HIV Smoking or chewing tobacco Certain medications that cause a dry mouth Genetics Conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease Poor nutrition, particularly a deficiency in Vitamin C

Gum Grafts: Preparation, Surgery, and Recovery

Healthy teeth require both gum tissue and bone for support and structure. Approximately 50% of people in the United States have some form of periodontal disease.¹ If you suffer from severe gingivitis or have recessed gums, your dentist may recommend that you get a gum graft surgery to help repair the damage.

What Is a Gum Graft?

Gum grafting is a surgical procedure that is designed to increase the amount of gum tissue around a single tooth, multiple teeth or dental implants.^1,2 A soft-tissue graft can also be used to build up gum tissue that could add to denture support, or build gum tissue in areas of the mouth where there are no teeth (like the cheek or under the tongue).²

There are a few reasons why gum tissue may be compromised, insufficient or inadequate:^1,2,3

Excessive gingivitis
Forceful or aggressive brushing or flossing over time
Traumatic injury
Orthodontics
Previous dental surgery

The most common cause of gum recession is gum disease—also known as periodontal disease—which is typically caused by the buildup of bacteria that leads to chronic inflammation of the gums and mouth tissue.¹ Once gums have receded, they cannot be reversed, but gum graft surgery can help.

Luckily, a gum graft can help to remedy some of the consequences of gum recession or untreated gum inflammation.¹ There are a few different types of gum graft surgery that vary based on where the soft tissue is being sourced:^1,2

Gingival graft. This type of graft is also referred to as a palatal graft because it takes healthy tissue from the top layer of roof of the mouth, which is also known as the palate.
Connective tissue graft. This graft also uses palatal gum tissue but only takes layers of tissue from below the top layer.
Pedicle graft. These gum grafts are done using adjacent healthy gum tissue from inside your mouth. If an oral surgeon determines that no healthy tissue is to be found on nearby gums, you may need to try another route.

Benefits of Gum Graft Surgery

If you’re on the fence about whether or not to go through with your gum graft surgery, these benefits may help to change your mind.

Protects Against Gum Recession

If your gums have receded to the point where your dentist is recommending gum graft surgery, they’re not going to improve on their own. A soft-tissue graft can improve the health and structure of your gums—allowing them to provide greater support to your teeth—and can help to protect against future recession.¹Follow your dentist’s directions after surgery; they will suggest a home care regimen.

Protects Roots and Prevents Tooth Loss

Gum recession can lead to the exposure of the roots of your teeth, leaving them vulnerable to bacteria, viruses and decay.¹ If the problem isn’t dealt with, your teeth can decay to the point where they could be extracted. Gum grafts can help to fortify your gums, protect the roots of your teeth and prevent tooth loss.¹

Reduces Tooth Sensitivity

If the roots of your teeth are exposed due to gum recession, they can become highly sensitive to temperature and touch.¹ A gum graft can help to protect your teeth and make them less sensitive.

Helps to Prevent the Buildup of Plaque

Recessed gums can allow plaque to access more areas of your teeth, like the roots and the area under the gums. A soft-tissue graft can build up the gum around the teeth and fill in any gaps, preventing plaque from getting into those sensitive areas and keeping your mouth healthier.¹

Gum Graft Recovery

Recovering from soft-tissue gum graft surgery typically takes about two weeks, but the true timeline is dependent on a number of factors.¹ For instance, if the gum graft involves multiple surgeries within a person’s mouth, that individual may feel sore. The size of the graft, location of the surgery, and patient factors like smoking and diabetes may also contribute to the healing and recovery period.²

Each case and each gum graft surgery are different, so it may not be possible to confidently predict whether the graft will be successful in the long term.³ However, your dentist or periodontist will recommend an oral care plan that should be adhered to at home, in order to bolster the chances of success.

Your dentist or periodontist may recommend a liquid or soft foods diet for a few days or longer, following your procedure.⁴ Until your mouth heals, you may want to try foods like oatmeal, smoothies or protein shakes, meatloaf and cooked vegetables. Choose foods that are rich in nutrients that promote healing like zinc, protein and vitamins A and C.⁴

Basic steps that can be taken to keep your teeth and gums healthy and avoid periodontal disease include:³

Flossing regularly to remove plaque from between your teeth.
Regularly visiting the dentist for a professional cleaning.
Avoid smoking.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day and using parodontax Active Gum Repair Toothpaste, which is formulated to help reverse signs of early gum disease by targeting plaque.

Source Citations:

Protecting Your Smile: 5 Incredible Health Benefits of Gum Grafting. American Dental Association. https://marketplace.ada.org/blog/out-of-the-office/protecting-your-smile-5-incredible-health-benefits-of-gum-grafting/. Accessed 6/7/22.
Soft-tissue Grafting. American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. https://myoms.org/what-we-do/oral-soft-tissue-surgery/soft-tissue-grafts/. Accessed 6/7/22.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2017-09/periodontal-disease_0.pdf. Accessed 6/7/22.
What (and how) to Eat When You’re Having Dental Issues. American Dental Association. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/nutrition/nutrition-concerns/. Accessed 6/7/22.

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Gum Grafts: Preparation, Surgery, and Recovery

What Is a Gum Graft?