Care of the mouthafter deep cleaning has an important effect on healing.Symptoms thatfollow treatment need not cause alarm and may be minimized if the followingpost-operative instructions are followed carefully.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Following periodontaltreatment, expect the treated area to be sore andtender to touch for 4-7 days. Swelling,discomfort, and bleeding may occur depending onthe extent of thetreatmentand location in themouth.
BLEEDING & SWELLING: The treatedarea may bleed and be tender when you clean your teeth.This is normal andexpected, and should subside within 7-14 days. If you have any questionsabout plaque-control recommendations, pleasedo not hesitate to contact our office.
SENSITIVITY: Commonly after gumtreatment, the tissue shrinks and the root surface is exposed. This may causesensitivity to hot, cold and sweets, which is normal. This sensitivity can betreated at home with over-the-counteranti-sensitivity toothpastes such as Sensodyne, or aprescription for fluoride. The fluoride can beprescribed to you in our office.
PAIN: If you feel that the pain and sensitivityis uncomfortable, you can take analgesics such as Advil (ibuprofen) or aspirintablets, or other pain medication with which you are familiar. If you develop arash or if you become nauseated, discontinue medication and contact our office.
ORAL HYGIENE: The treated area must bekept plaque-free with thorough brushing, flossing, andother recommendedplaque-control devices or rinses. If treated area is not kept clean, the areamay become infected and/or may not heal properly.
RECOMMENDED HOME CARE RINSES: Warm salt water (1/2 tsp salt to 8 oz. lukewarmwater) 4-6 times daily. Or Chlorhexidinerinses (Peridex) 1 time daily in the evening.This can beprescribed to you through our office.
DIET: For the next 3 days, do not eatanything hot and spicy, or anything with nuts, seeds or popcorn. Try to stay ona softer diet for the next few days and do most of your chewing on the sideopposite to the area that was treated.
SMOKING: AVOID SMOKING for at least sixhours after treatment, since smoking is an irritant.
FOLLOW UP TREATMENTS:Deep cleanings or Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing are usually done in several appointments, as treatments are done on a section of your mouth at a time. It is VERY important that this series of treatments be done in a VERY timely manner, i.e. every 1-2 weeks. If too much time is allowed to lapse between treatments, the effectiveness of the procedure is greatly compromised and the desired healing may not be realized. It is also extremely important that regular periodontal maintenance procedures are performed (usually every 3 months after the deep cleaning procedures are completed) to keep the periodontal disease under control and prevent relapse.
If you have any questions and/or concerns about your treatment, please do not hesitate to contact our office. We will be more than happy to assist you.
