Patients would need a gingivectomy when the gums have pulled away from the teeth, creating deep pockets within a patient’s gumline. These pockets make it difficult to adequately perform oral care, which can lead to plaque buildup, which can then lead to a host of periodontal diseases, which if further left untreated, can lead a patient to other kinds of diseases.
Failing to maintain a healthy mouth can cause gum disease, which can then cause negative effects not just in the mouth, but in the entire body as well. The most common gum disease is gingivitis, which is another word for inflamed gums. Inflammation of the gums can cause pain, discomfort, and bleeding while brushing and flossing.
If left unchecked, gingivitis can progress into periodontists, which causes your gums to recede, form pockets, expose more of your tooth, allow bacteria to attack it, and cause further damage. The pockets can also become infected, causing even more damage to your mouth. If still left unchecked, the bacteria inside your mouth will continue to run rampant, leading to the gums and bone receding further, leading to tooth loss
Your swelling will be at its peak 2 to 4 days after surgery and will continue to be present for about 1-2 weeks. For the first two days, you want to use a cold pack to reduce the swelling, then switch to a heat pack on the third day. You will also want to sleep with an elevated head, which can help reduce swelling.