2 Tips To Reduce Cracking Around Your Lips Following Periodontal Surgery

Posted on: 29 August 2016

Periodontal disease can cause extensive damage to your gums and teeth. Therefore, it is important to undergo periodontal surgery as soon as possible in order to correct this. The surgery is designed, to clean out your gums and rid your mouth of infection. After the surgery is complete you may experience slight bleeding, swelling as well as cracking around your lips. It is expected that your lips will be dry and cracked immediately following surgery. This issue will resolve itself once your mouth begins to heal. Until then, there are a few additional steps that you can take to reduce the cracking and keep your mouth moist.

Keep Your Body Hydrated

Immediately after your periodontal surgery, it is important to intake as many fluids as possible in order to promote healing. Staying hydrated with the help of water will also help to alleviate dryness and peeling around your mouth and lips. In order to make sure that you do not get dehydrated, try to drink a cup of water with every meal that you eat. This will make consuming your fluids much easier. In addition, you can try adding water or other fluids to smoothies that you can easily enjoy after your dental operation.

Coat Your Mouth in Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum Jelly is most commonly used as a lubricant that you can apply to your body after a shower or swim. However, the skin care product works really well as a moisture insulator. Petroleum jelly is often used as a way to protect cuts and burns. When used on your lips following your periodontal procedure, petroleum jelly will help to trap in moisture and prevent your lips from drying out or becoming cracked. In order to use the petroleum jelly, drink a glass of water or apply a bit of water to your lips. This will ensure that the petroleum jelly is applied to lips that are already moisturized. Once your lips are moisturized, use your fingertips to apply the petroleum jelly. The petroleum jelly will not last throughout the day; therefore, you will need to use the same process to reapply the skincare product. You will notice that your lips are no longer cracked or chapped at the end of the day.

Dealing with extreme dryness around your lips and mouth can make the recovery process uncomfortable after periodontal surgery. Therefore, use these tips to help reduce some of this discomfort around your mouth. Contact a local professional, such as Cumberland Periodontal Associate, for more information. 

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