Gum Graft Diet

When one or more of your teeth roots are exposed due to gum recession caused by periodontal, or gum, disease, your periodontist--a physician that specializes in gum disease--might recommend you undergo surgery to enhance your appearance and prevent further gum erosion, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. After the surgery, your periodontist will prescribe you numerous at-home treatments to help you recover from the surgery, including a specific diet to help your teeth and gums heal properly after the procedure.

Drinking

Consume at least six to eight glasses of water over the remainder of the day following your gum graft surgery, says Dr. Afshin Salamati, a periodontist practicing in Beverly Hills, California, on the website DrSalamati.com 1. Salamati recommends you do not use straws to avoid bleeding and possible loss of your graft.

Foods to Eat

Foods to Eat After Getting a Tongue Ring

Learn More

For the first two days, eat foods that do not require chewing, such as:

• mashed potatoes
  
• cooked cereals
  
• cream soups
  
• says Redwood Periodontics in Salt Lake City
  
• Utah

After 48 hours, try foods that require only light chewing, such as

• pasta
  
• eggs
  
• ground beef
  
• fish
  
• to determine if you can eat them without any pain or discomfort

If you cannot tolerate solid foods, drink liquid nutritional food supplements until you can eat solid foods again, suggests Dr. Mark J. Sebastian, a periodontist practicing in Federal Way, Washington.

Foods to Avoid

Don’t eat foods that might get stuck in the graft site, such as seeds, nuts, popcorn or corn, says Sebastian. Avoid extremely hot or cold foods, crunchy and hard foods, says Salamati, and do not drink alcohol until you have discontinued your pain medication.

Considerations

How to Care for Cuts Inside the Mouth Close to the Teeth

Learn More

People who do not stick to post-operative periodontal treatment regimens might be up to six times more likely to lose their teeth than people who are vigilant in fulfilling the doctor’s orders, says University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). The treatment does not work as well for smokers as it does for non-smokers, adds the UMMC.

Warning

Do not use a gum graft diet as your only post-operative treatment 2. Follow all of your doctor’s prescribed diet and lifestyle modifications, and call your doctor immediately if you experience any excessive bleeding from any surgical site within your mouth.