Balance out your smile with laser gum contouring. 

Laser gum contouring is one of the latest advances in dental technology. Today, you can achieve gum reshaping for a more balanced smile without any cutting. One of the main benefits of this technology is an easier recovery with more straightforward gum contouring aftercare. 

Here is everything you need to know about recovery after gum contouring.

How long does laser gum contouring take to heal?

Gum contouring reshapes gums without the need for a scalpel to cut the gum tissue. This results in an accelerated recovery compared to traditional gum contouring. In general, you’ll only need to rest for a day or two after treatment until you’re essentially back to your daily routine.

Complete recovery depends on many individual factors, so it will vary from patient to patient. You can expect your gums to be mostly healed within a week, or a bit longer in some cases.

Also, because every gum contouring treatment is unique, more or less gum tissue may be removed during your treatment. When your gums need more adjustment, you can experience a longer recovery time than if only a small amount of tissue were removed.

Does laser gum contouring hurt?

During the procedure, you’ll receive a local anesthetic that numbs the area to prevent any pain. While you’re recovering, you may experience some side effects over the first few days, including tenderness.

Laser gum contouring has reduced the side effects during recovery compared with traditional gum contouring. As long as you follow your gum contouring aftercare instructions, you shouldn’t expect major issues during recovery. Any tenderness can generally be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medication. 

If you do experience more serious pain or swelling, reach out to your dentist right away.

What can I eat after gum contouring?

After your laser gum contouring procedure, you need to follow a few dietary restrictions to help your recovery. For the first few days, it’s best to stick to soft, cool foods, such as yogurt, pudding, ice cream, and soft vegetables.

Soft foods prevent damage to your gums while chewing. After the first few days, you can expand your diet, but should still avoid some types of foods, such as anything tough that requires too much chewing.

Also, watch out for foods that can irritate your gums and cause pain and inflammation. Spicy foods, acidic foods, and anything with small, hard pieces that can become lodged in your gums are prime examples. You should avoid nuts, seeds, and popcorn as well.

Can I brush and floss after gum contouring?

Brushing and flossing are vital to ensure good oral hygiene, but you also don’t want to upset your gums during healing. You can continue your oral hygiene routine but will have to make some adjustments to prevent damage to the affected area.

Make sure to pick up a soft-bristled toothbrush to use during recovery. Soft-bristled brushes are generally recommended for everyday use anyway, so it could be a good time to make the switch.

When brushing, take your time and avoid direct contact with the treated area. It’s important to brush tooth surfaces thoroughly, and you can angle the brush so that bristles move away from the gums.

You should not floss the treated area, which could mean avoiding flossing entirely. Flossing during healing can damage your gums and make your recovery take longer.

What can I expect after healing?

After your recovery, you’ll have a beautiful and proportional smile. Laser gum contouring provides an improved recovery process compared with traditional gum contouring, so you should be back to normal in a shorter time with only minimal side effects.

The precision of laser gum contouring means that your gumline will have been carefully crafted to provide a proportional smile unique to you. Your smile will look better than ever before once you’re fully recovered.

Laser gum contouring provides many benefits and is one of the most widely used treatment options. You’ll feel more confident in your smile, which means you’ll be more likely to share it. That boost in confidence can make a big difference in both your personal and professional life.

Laser gum contouring is a permanent improvement to your smile. Gum tissue only grows back in very rare cases. For the vast majority of patients, their new smile is a lasting change.

Cosmetic Laser Dentistry in University Park

Are you concerned about your gummy smile? Dallas Cosmetic Dental offers gum laser surgery to adjust the proportions of your smile in a comfortable process that offers fast recovery. Our compassionate team provides comprehensive care with the latest technology to bring out the best in you.

Schedule your appointment with the best cosmetic dentist near University Park today to find out whether gum contouring is right for you.