Wisdom teeth removal is a common dental procedure, and understanding the healing process is a concern for many patients. After extraction, the mouth undergoes recovery, which can present unexpected but normal occurrences. Being informed about these aspects of healing can help alleviate anxieties and ensure a smoother recovery.
Understanding Gum Flaps
A gum flap, also known as an operculum, is a piece of gum tissue that may remain over the extraction site after a wisdom tooth has been removed. This is a normal part of healing, especially if the tooth was partially erupted or impacted. The flap forms when gum tissue has not fully receded or healed to cover the underlying bone, or it can be residual tissue from the tooth’s previous covering.
The presence of a gum flap is often related to how the wisdom tooth initially emerged, especially if it was angled or lacked sufficient space to fully erupt. In such cases, the gum tissue sits higher on the tooth, and after extraction, this excess tissue may not fully resorb, creating the flap.
Caring for Your Gum Flap
Managing a gum flap at home involves diligent and gentle oral hygiene to prevent food particles and bacteria from accumulating underneath it. Starting 24 hours after surgery, gently rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution (about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water). Swish the solution gently around the affected area, allowing it to drain naturally rather than spitting forcefully, which could dislodge blood clots.
When brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean the surrounding teeth carefully, avoiding the immediate extraction site for the first few days. After approximately a week, you can gently brush closer to the gum flap to keep the area clean. Some dental professionals may also recommend using an irrigation syringe a few days post-surgery to gently flush out debris from under the flap with the saltwater solution, especially after meals.
Dietary considerations include sticking to soft, non-chewy foods for the first three to five days to avoid irritating healing tissues. Foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and soups are suitable options. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that could get trapped under the flap or damage the healing site. Also, avoid using straws, smoking, or consuming alcohol, as these activities can disrupt healing.
When to Seek Professional Advice
While a gum flap can be a normal part of recovery, certain signs indicate a need for professional dental advice. If you experience persistent or worsening pain that does not improve with medication, this could signal a complication like an infection or dry socket. Swelling that increases or does not subside after three to four days, especially if it extends beyond the surgical site to the face, also warrants attention.
Contact your dentist or oral surgeon if you experience pus or unusual discharge from the extraction site, a foul odor or persistent bad taste, or a fever. Difficulty swallowing or breathing, limited mouth opening, or lasting numbness in the tongue, lips, or chin also warrant professional evaluation. These symptoms could suggest an infection, nerve involvement, or other issues requiring prompt intervention.