The dentist has treated your gum disease with dental scaling and root planning and now you want to make sure that you keep your teeth and gums in the healthy condition that they are in now for as long as possible. If you follow through with the proper aftercare at home and maintain your regular dental exams and cleanings, you can potentially avoid having to have the procedure repeated.
Most Common Symptoms After Scaling and Planning
The dentist has used tools to remove plaque from under your gum line so your gums are likely to be red, slightly swollen, or more sensitive. The dentist will use a local anesthetic during the treatment to help you stay comfortable, but as the numbness fades, you may find that your gums are sore. You may notice that it is not easy to bite down on hard food, but any of that pain or discomfort should decrease in the following days. It should be gone completely within a few days. If you notice that your gum sensitivity is making brushing your teeth uncomfortable, then you can decrease the pressure you are using while brushing or you can use a soft bristled brush if you are not already using one.
Your teeth may be more sensitive to extreme temperatures of food and drinks or they may not feel ok when you enjoy something too sweet or too acidic. If you stick to a more mild diet and to warm temperatures, you can avoid feeling uncomfortable until your mouth is less sensitive.
If the bleeding persists after the treatment, you should find that after two to three days your gums will no longer bleed when brushing or flossing. Unless the dentist gives you other instructions, do not rinse your mouth so your mouth can heal properly. If the bleeding continues more than 48 hours, call the dentist to get further instructions and to avoid any more serious complications.
Minimizing the Symptoms
The same day of your dental scaling and root planing, you may find that you have a little discomfort but it should get better everyday and be gone within a few days. The foods and drinks to avoid while you are healing include: sticky, hard, acidic, brittle, or highly seasoned foods. You will want to still keep whole, nutrient rich foods as a part of your diet and stay hydrated as best you can. If you can stop smoking or avoid it for one to two weeks while your mouth recovers, you will heal at a better rate. The nicotine and all the additives will affect your body’s ability to heal and introduce foreign substances into small wounds in your gums.
If you are in pain as the anesthesia wears off, an over the counter pain reliever could help you stay comfortable. Additionally, you could try a topical numbing gel for your gums temporarily. If you find that your teeth remain sensitive, then you can start to use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.