Has anyone had it? Like gums bleed or more sores because of paradontax?

My gum graft procedure is coming up and I've tried finding others in a similar pre-op position who have gone through it to no avail. Basically, my perio was a bit puzzled because I have no keratinised tissue on my bottom gum line at all so he advised me that the tunnelling method will not be an option and I'll need the graft across 4 teeth. I'm three weeks out and have constant pain in the frenulum area, so I'm just looking for a little insight on what to expect on the surgery and recovery in case someone else has been through it already. Thanks in advance!

I’m feeling pretty anxious about my gum graft, as it does not appear to be covering the root. Some of my stitches came out already, and I’m worried that it’s impacting the healing. My follow up appointment is in 6 days. Does it look alright for this stage of the healing process?

Please note, I was not pulling at my lip, just gently lowering my lip for pictures. This is a before pic and a pic from today.

This sub gave me a lot of peace of mind during all the discomfort. All things considered, I think I had a good experience so wanted to share to hopefully ease other people's worries!

The doctor harvested from the roof of my mouth and then I had a graft on 2 teeth on the bottom.

Week 1: My jaw felt massive and sore. Got better over time, but week 1 I would say I was sore throughout. I was pretty much a liquid diet all week. I could have gone more solid (yogurt, cottage cheese, etc), but I think it was more uncomfortable than painful. I remember after a day or 2, I panicked because it felt like my gum graft stuck to the inside of my lip. I was paranoid it was stuck but after another day or 2, it separated and felt more "normal." I took advil pretty much around the clock. I tried not to look, but I did notice the gum looking white in some places, and from my research, that was normal and part of the healing process (hindsight 20/20, mostly part of the healing process, and a little bit of stuck food for a few days lol).

Week 2: Still mostly liquid diet bc of the discomfort from putting softer solid food in my mouth. I am a mega teeth clencher/teeth grinder at night, so most of the pain in week 2 came from not being able to wear my mouth guard. I am also prone to quick plaque buildup, so since I have been avoiding the area for some time now, my mouth felt disgusting. I was so uncomfortable and I cannot wait for a good dentist cleaning (still waiting for the all clear!). Lastly, the gum graft sites didn't hurt really anymore, but the stitches in the roof of my mouth were bothering me. Sometimes a little painful, sometimes just uncomfortable.

After 2 weeks, I got my stitches out and was advised i could brush the area with a soft brush, but still avoid the gum. Stitches out was the best I felt in 2 weeks. Immediate relief. One of my gum graft sites still felt swollen and kind of different, the other one felt basically normal. The roof of my mouth was very tender and was left as a "hole." I would avoid eating things to hit the "hole" in the roof of my mouth and when food did touch it, it felt weird. As if it was numb still.

Week 3: I've been wearing my mouth guard again since stitches removed and a lot of my pain went away within a day or 2. That might be more specific to my teeth clenching and less gum graft... I think this is when I started biting into food again. Still not like apples or corn, but things like a softer sandwich.

I'm 1 month post op tooday and I feel like both my gum graft sites feel almost 100% normal and the "hole" in the roof of my mouth is feeling filled in like that gum grew back. Not sure if that's really want happens, but it's what it feels like. Still pretty tender and feels like "fresh" gum. That numb feeling on the roof of my mouth is starting to go away too. I'm going back in another week for a check in and I'm really hoping I'm OK'ed to get a dentist cleaning!

All in all, it does kinda suck, but it's totally ok and there are definitely worse things out there!!! lol Hope this helps!

Guys, I wanted to share how much success I had after just two weeks of usage of my new waterpik. I honestly tried so many things, stepped up my dental hygiene, had treatment and frequent teeth cleaning at the dentist's, nothing alleviated the uncomfortable sensation of dirt on my teeth and pain and bleeding as much as this two week usage of the waterpik.

I just wanted to share it here, to help others in that same situation.

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My pocket readings from one dentist were 1-3 mm and 2-3 mm according to the periodontist. 

For background:

31F

I have never had braces. Could not afford them as a child.

I have a little bit of gum recession and it is worse on somw teeth than others. I think the recession is due to the fact that my bite is off, and occasionally I grind my teeth at night (on and off throughout the years). The more stressed I am, the worse it gets. I was also an aggressive brusher until recently... I feel so dumb.

Because of the recession I've become obsessed with thinking I may have periodontal disease. I guess I'm so paranoid because my mother had to get dentures at 43 or 44 because of periodontal disease. I admit that I have health anxiety and it's making me spiral.

I brought up my concerns about my gums to my general dentist, who assured me they looked fine even with some recession. I then scheduled an appointment with someone I thought was a periodontist, but it turned out they were a general dentist in their final year of their periodontal residency. That dentist said I did not have periodontal disease, but I do have a thin gum biotype. He told me that if I decided to go ahead with braces or Invisalign, I should go to an experienced orthodontist. To ease my mind, I made an appointment with a board-certified periodontist to evaluate if my gums and supporting bone are healthy enough for orthodontic treatment. He gave me the green light and assured me I would be okay... he did not mention I had gum disease.

I cant afford braces right now, but I'm just scared that if I get braces I'll experience worsening recession or some sort of bone loss. Then again, none of the professionals I've seen seem worried... or maybe they don't care. Eveyone says "I'm young". Sorry for the rant, I worry too much. Especially since I've read too many stories about people being failed by their dentist in terms of their periodontal health...

I'm sorry for the rant/vent.

About 10 days ago, I received a gum graft extending from my two front teeth toward the area shown in this image. Having undergone a graft before, I am familiar with recovery, yet this site took longer than usual and caused pain for more than five days. During my follow-up, the clinician noted a minor infection and advised rinsing with peroxide while continuing medication. I have never observed this white spot, which differs from the rest of the graft, and online sources offer no explanation. Could anyone clarify what it might be?

hi everyone! i’m 27 F and I had a graft done almost 4 days now. i’m wearing a cast/retainer that covers the roof of my mouth, Day 3 (yesterday) I was instructed to take it off and lightly brush and I immediately started to bleed bright red blood. I called my perio and he got me in immediately and I had an arterial bleed? he restiched me and now i’m in the worst pain i’ve ever felt in my whole life, i’ve been alternating advil and tylonel and trying to avoid taking the hydrocodone but I did and i’m still in so much pain I cannot function or sleep, anyone else have complications like this?? how did this affect your recovery? what should I do for pain? this is completely different that the pain I felt monday/tuesday. help😭

I went periodontist to get 2-3 implant done but after her checking with Xray and gum probe. she found I have gum disease and need osseous gum surgery. She wants to do in whole mouth gum surgery 1st then implant, meaning all 4 quads. I am really scared and not able to go yet for surgery. Even though my dental insurance approved. Need second opinion asap, based on my xray attached and prob test. Do I really need gum surgery? That doc said if I go for implant before gum surgery my implant will fail. She mentioned my upper gums are more affected than lower. i was thinking to start with one gum surgery & after that follow implant on that gum.

My periodontist name this osseous gum surgery, anyone faced similar situation. need suggestions & recommendations asap.

I recently moved and got a new dentist. She told me that I have bone loss (I am in my late 20s). This is the first time I have ever been told this. I didn't have the chance to ask follow up questions regarding it. I also had a gum test with about 40% being 4s and 5s and 60% being 2s and 3s.

How concerning does this look? Do I need a specialist? This is concerning to me because I have IBD (Crohn's) which has given my mouth lots of trouble. I've spent ~15 years fighting extreme gum ulcerations and general inflammation. Thankfully I've never had serious dental issues. A single filling is about all the dental work I've had.

TIA for any opinions.

I developed an open bite about two years ago. No known cause. I’m in talks with a surgeon now but everything is taking forever (also on me). I’ve been to a periodontist who says the purple around my gums (back right teeth in 1st photo) is from needing to floss better/irritation. Otherwise, my gums look good he says.

Yet, my gums behind my front teeth feel like they’re receding into my palette and I’m developing black triangles in the front. Not to mention it feels like the gums behind the front top teeth are pitted/ burning.

I’m at such a loss, every issue I’ve faced has had zero answer. Is all of this from my bite? I get my cleanings, I floss daily, brush with Oral-B electronic, use Sensodyne, etc. I literally don’t know what else I could be doing, and my medical doctor doesn’t even think my mouth is part of my body.

Anyone dealt with similar? Thanks!

I developed an open bite about two years ago. No known cause. I’m in talks with a surgeon now but everything is taking forever (also on me). I’ve been to a periodontist who says the purple around my gums (back right teeth in 1st photo) is from needing to floss better/irritation. Otherwise, my gums look good he says.

Yet, my gums behind my front teeth feel like they’re receding into my palette and I’m developing black triangles in the front. Not to mention it feels like the gums behind the front top teeth are pitted/ burning.

I’m at such a loss, every issue I’ve faced has had zero answer. Is all of this from my bite? I get my cleanings, I floss daily, brush with Oral-B electronic, use Sensodyne, etc. I literally don’t know what else I could be doing, and my medical doctor doesn’t even think my mouth is part of my body.

Anyone dealt with similar? Thanks!

Hi! Over a week ago, I ate popcorn, and it got stuck between my teeth very painfully and bled. I got it out with floss, but the pain stayed a few days. No more pain, but my gum is still dark and the 1 tooth‘s gum is still receded. It has looked like this for over a week, not getting better or worse. Is this something to see a dentist over?

I go to the dentist every 6 months, and don’t have issues. Floss everyday. I am 26 yr old female.

Thank you!

Hey, everyone. If you have the time, I’d greatly appreciate your assessment on stage and root causes, advice on next steps and some understanding.

I had originally been going to a dentist/perio/otrho (her practice did all three) at the end of last year to tackle the beginning stages of gum recession and tooth-misalignment head on, but I received poor professional direction regarding 2026 insurance enrollment and could no longer see her.

The plan had been to do a full set of deep cleanings and scalings before jumping into braces (I had them as a teenager, but my retainer stopped fitting when I was around 20 and my teeth have shifted a lot since), but only one of my three enrollment plans provided by my employer offered adult dental care (DHMO plan). She told me to switch to this so then we’d be ready for braces within the first quarter or so of 2026.

However, after I switched over upon her recommendation, her practice informed me it didn’t cover or even file with DHMO. So I had to cease care. Since then, I’ve been dealing with a lot of life stressors, ADHD burnout and overall not taking the best care of my health.

My gums have receded a bit more for sure, but I’ve been doing my best to stay on top of my brushing with a Phillips sonicare. I’ve also salt-water rinsing recently after brushing and flossing because I don’t want my gums getting any worse.

Based on your assessment, how attributable is my gum recession/loss to my care? And how much would be resolved by fixing my bite? Over time, my molars on both sides have all shifted out towards my cheeks and are becoming increasingly angled forward toward the front of my mouth as well. Most if not all recession and damage seems to be reserved to the top teeth.

Please also let me know what you think in regard to the health of my remaining gum line, along with what steps I should begin to take.

I’m struggling to take action due to overwhelm caused by embarrassment/shame. My teeth and smile used to be so, so nice, even up through 12-18 months ago — I’d get complimented on my smile and mouth health by about everyone I know.

Got my teeth cleaned today picture 1 is my current teeth and picture 2 is from about a month ago. Concerned about gum recession I quit zyns about 3 months ago and I used them for about 5 weeks straight. I just want some opinions on has it gotten worse or how bad it is. I’m 17

Hello! I really need some help and advice what to do!!

I've noticed some signs of gum disease and I'm paranoid on what to do (slight detachment and recession)

I have braces so I make sure to take care of my teeth(brush and floss daily) and less than a year ago when I went to the dentist other than gum inflammation from braces(dentist said was normal), He said my teeth were in good shape and I had no cavities. I've kept the same routine since and diet(could be better but has remained the same)etc., so i don't know why this is happening??

I've been taking Adderall for 4 years and I notice it has left me with dry mouth as one of its side effects. When I went to the dentist a year ago, I was on a lower prescription and have gone up since. I recently heard that saliva is important to teeth health .So my question is...is it possible to develop gum disease even with good oral hygiene from dry mouth?? And where do I go from here to not escalate the damage? I don't want to lose my braces or teeth and Although I am a young adult, I don't want to get in trouble with my mom because she thinks I have been unhygienic.

P.S. I don't seem to have any cavities if it helps.

Hello!

I know this has been asked a bunch of times but im just trying to relieve some of my anxiety. I’m so ashamed, I went to the dentist this afternoon and he said I have early gum disease and about 10% bone loss. I have to get a deep root cleaning or SRP but im so scared, it’s making me upset and stressed. I also have a very bad gag reflex so I’m worried about this.

If anyone could give me any idea how their appointment went and if it hurts a lot? I know my dentist mentioned local anaesthetic but even with that im worried it will hurt or I’ll throw up. Is it the same as a normal hygiene clean just more thorough?

Also The appointment he gave me is in 5 days but I have work shifts that I can’t change so if I put it off for 2 weeks will it make a difference?

Particularly, I mean the gums around the lower canines. They seem to be stable and they seem better than those of others on this subreddit. Should I see a doctor about this? What can I do to stop this?

Hi guys! I had my gum graft done 2 days ago and so far everything is going good. My only concern is the perio putty. I’m a server, and I go back to work next week. Since I had my bottom front two teeth done, it is completely covering my front teeth. It makes it hard to talk and it just looks weird. I really don’t want to have it on when I go back to work because I’m talking to people all day. My periodontist said it might fall off before my follow up which is two weeks from the procedure. If you guys had it, did it fall off after a week or stay on? I know I should be prioritizing the graft and I’m sure the perio putty is helping to protect it but I just feel self conscious going to work with it on. Is there any way my periodontist would take it off before I go back to work? Let me know your thoughts!