Post Op Instructions

SCALING AND ROOT PLANING (SRP) – (DEEP CLEANING GUM THERAPY)

Once your gums have healed from the gum therapy, typically 2 weeks, you can expect to notice less redness, less bleeding and less swelling of your gum tissue. Your mouth will taste, smell and feel better. Your gum health can then be maintained with proper homecare and regular professional care. However you should expect the following right after your procedure:

 Numbness: If we used anesthesia, your mouth will be numb for approximately two to four hours. Do not bite, scratch, or injure the cheek, lips, or tongue during this time. You can carefully drink little sips of water during this time but avoid eating. Please call our office if your numbness has persisted more than a day.

 Discomfort: Discomfort or pain should not be acute and should subside in a few hours, definitely within 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.

Tooth Sensitivity: Teeth may be sensitive to temperature changes and/or sweets. The sensitivity to temperature may be noticeable the first several days and usually diminishes quickly. Application of a desensitizing fluoride may be recommended. You can use over the counter sensitivity toothpaste as well.

 Bleeding: Some bleeding may occur during the next several brushings, but the bleeding should steadily decrease as your gums heal over next week or so. 

Appearance: As the gums heal they may change their shape around the teeth. This is normal as the gum tissues heal and shrink. However this may expose spaces between the teeth that were previously covered with tartar build up or swollen gums. This may cause spaces to show between the front teeth or you may notice more food impaction between the front teeth. This is in most cases unavoidable especially if your gum disease is advanced.

 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.

 Pain: In most cases the discomfort will be minor. However should you feel the need, take any over the counter pain medicine, as needed. If your pain is not improving after 3-4 days, please let us know immediately.

 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 to fourth day, normal oral hygiene techniques may be resumed. Mouth rinsing is recommended with either of the following solutions: 1) an anti-microbial rinse. 2) A warm salt-water rinse. Use of either of these rinses should be limited to one to two consecutive weeks.

 If symptoms are severe or persistent and have not improved after 3-4 days, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office immediately.