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What to Do If the Packing Hurts After Gum Surgery

The packing around your gums after periodontal, or gum, surgery is similar to other surgical dressings, and you should be just as careful with the packing as you should with other surgical dressings. Some pain around the packing after surgery is to be expected, but if the pain becomes excessive, it may be time to check in with your doctor.

  1. Pain

    • Some pain is expected after your periodontal surgery as the anesthesia wears off. This pain can be accompanied by a slight fever, chills and weakness in your body. The pain you feel around the packing is probably caused by irritation of the surrounding gum tissue, but may intensify a few hours after surgery, when the packing becomes semi-rigid.

      Pain is a normal side effect of surgery, and some pain can last for three to five days after your surgery.

    Treatments

    • There are several things you can do at home to help ease your pain. Your surgeon may have prescribed some pain medication for you to take after surgery. You should take these pain medications as directed on the label. Most pain medications are also anti-inflammatory, so they help with the pain that swelling causes, but they also help your body to heal faster, so that you may feel pain for a shorter period of time. Ask your surgeon if you can also take over-the-counter pain medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. You may be able to alternate taking your prescription medications with the over-the-counter pain medications, but only with your surgeon's instructions.

      If you suspect your pain is caused by or made worse by swelling around your packing, it may also benefit you to ice the area. Apply an ice pack to the outside of your face in the area where the swelling is occurring for 15 minutes, and then rest without the ice pack for 15 minutes. You can continue icing in this way until the swelling reduces.

    When to See the Doctor

    • Since some pain is normal after surgery, wait a day or two. If the pain does not subside and is persistent, call your surgeon's office. Depending on your specific symptoms, your surgeon may have you come in for a post-operative check. If you feel that your pain is unbearable, you should see your surgeon as soon as possible for a check. The surgeon will be able to tell why your pain is abnormal and give you suggestions for what to do.

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