Please follow Dr. Kothuri’s instructions and use the following as general guidelines for post operative home care.
Periodontal Treatment – Deep Cleaning
Following scaling and root planing, you can expect to notice less redness, less bleeding, and less swelling of your gum tissue. Your gum health can then be maintained with proper home care and regular professional care.
DISCOMFORT or PAIN: Discomfort or pain should not be acute and should subside in a few hours to a few days.
Discomfort immediately after treatment is usually associated with slight throbbing or aching and occasionally may be uncomfortable. This discomfort usually subsides in about four hours. Any discomfort due to brushing should get better in one to several days.
TOOTH SENSITIVITY: Teeth may be sensitive to temperature changes and/or sweets. The sensitivity to temperature may be intense the first several days and usually diminishes quickly.
BLEEDING: Some slight bleeding may occur during the next several brushings but the bleeding should steadily decrease over two or three days.
APPEARANCE: Root surfaces may be more exposed as the swelling of the inflamed gum tissue goes away. This may result in more spaces between the teeth.
INSTRUCTIONS TO MINIMIZE SYMPTOMS…
DIET / EATING – If extensive root planing was performed, chewing hard foods, such as meat or raw vegetables may be uncomfortable. This should last no longer than a few days. A diet of a softer consistency would be advised until chewing becomes more comfortable.
DISCOMFORT / PAIN / SENSITIVITY – If a local anesthetic was used, avoid chewing foods until feeling returns to avoid injury to the tongue or cheeks. Acetaminophen or a nonaspirin analgesic should be taken as needed to reduce discomfort. If tooth sensitivity persists, use a desensitizing dentifrice (toothpaste) containing potassium nitrate. If the sensitivity is severe and prolonged, professional application of a desensitizing agent may be required.
ORAL HYGIENE – If gum tissues are tender, brush your teeth gently but thoroughly. This may take a little more time than normal. By the third or fourth day, normal oral hygiene techniques can be resumed. Rinsing the mouth is recommended with either of the following solutions: 1) an antimicrobial rinse, or 2) a warm saline rinse. Use of these rinses should be limited to one to two consecutive weeks.
Please call Dr. Kothuri at (408) 524-5505 if you still have any questions or concerns.