Many people are looking to get some sort of gum treatment, and if you are scheduled for surgery, you are probably wondering about the recovery process. Those that tend to drink a lot of coffee have only one thing on their mind in such situations — can I drink coffee after gum graft surgery?
If you would like to know more about gum disease treatments, you can check it out on the link and find all the necessary info. Now, let’s take a look at some of the burning questions and how the recovery process will affect your life. So, is coffee after gum grafting allowed? Let’s find out!
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting is the process of adding gum tissue to your own to solve one of several possible problems. There are a couple of types of gum grafting. In cases when the root of the tooth is exposed, surgery will be necessary to fix the problem.
The doctor will cut the tissue at the roof of the mouth, which is also known as the palate, and they will take the tissue located under the flap. The extracted tissue is then stitched to the gums around the tooth root, helping it heal. This is known as connective-tissue graft.
The second method involves taking the tissue from the roof of the mouth directly and placed on the gums. The method is known as a free gingival graft, and it’s perfect for those with thin gums. This can add additional tissue to the gums, solving the problem.
Finally, we have pedicle grafts, which make use of gum tissue. In cases when gums can be moved around to cover the exposed root and can be pulled over, the doctor will opt for this method. Naturally, it is only possible for those that have enough gum tissue to perform the surgery.
Why Is It Needed?
There are a couple of different situations when gum grafting is necessary to solve the issue. We already mentioned exposed roots, which can be quite painful. In the majority of cases, the problem is caused by periodontal diseases. But the problem can occur due to receding gums as well.
The main issue with the gum recession is that it is a slow process. Thus, many people will not notice it until it’s too late. What is worse is that gum recession is a common problem. Between four and twelve percent of adults experience it during their lifetime, and in many cases, the situation worsens with time. Of course, gum recession doesn’t look pretty, but having exposed roots will cause teeth sensitivity or even tooth loss.
The Recovery Process
The recovery process after surgery is quite simple. And it won’t take you long to get back on your feet. In the majority of cases, the dentist will keep you an hour or two after the surgery to see whether there are complications. If everything seems alright good, they will just send you home.
But at the same time, you will need to worry about what you eat for a couple of weeks. The first few days after the surgery will be the toughest, and you will need to eat soft foods only. Furthermore, you should avoid eating anything hot that can disrupt the healing process and stick to cold foods only.
There are plenty of things you can eat during the first few weeks. For example, you can have eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, Jell-o, and anything else that won’t irritate the graft. Sticking to this diet and soft foods will help you heal faster and get the entire process behind you.
What About Coffee?
Since coffee falls into the category of hot foods and drinks, you will not be able to drink it after the grafting procedure. Coffee can contain chemicals, and since it is usually consumed hot, it can easily irritate the graft and disrupt your healing process.
But this won’t last for a long time. The question on everyone’s mind is, “When can I drink coffee after gum grafting?” You should avoid coffee for two to three days after the surgery and avoid drinking anything with a straw for at least a week, regardless of how tempting it might be. Of course, if you love drinking coffee and if you drink it on a daily basis, it might be challenging for you. Keep in mind that caffeine won’t help you heal faster, and it can only cause further complications.
After a couple of days, you might be able to have cold coffee or anything cooled down to room temperature. Yes, the effect won’t be the same, but you will have to find a way to make it through. So, for those asking, “Can I drink iced coffee after gum grafting?” the answer is — yes, after a couple of days. Iced coffee still contains caffeine, so try to avoid it if possible.
What Else to Know?
Everyone knows that oral health is important, and you will still need to brush and floss daily. But you will also need to be gentle around the stitches. Avoid rinsing too hard, spitting, and anything else that might affect the healing process. Furthermore, you should avoid alcohol and tobacco at all costs, at least one week after the treatment.
Ideally, you would wait at least a week before you go back to your old coffee drinking habits. Generally speaking, you will be able to see how the healing process is going on your own, and if you have any questions, you can pay your dentist a visit.
And if this seems too complicated, there is nothing to worry about. Your dentist will instruct you on everything you can and can’t eat after the surgery. This way, you will know with certainty what you can do and what are the things you should avoid.