Caring For Your Deep Cleaning
Your deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, removed the bacteria and hardened tartar from below the gum line where brushing cannot reach. This treats gum disease and lets your gums heal and reattach. The next several days of care help that along.
What To Expect
- Soreness: Gum tenderness or a bruised feeling is normal and eases within a few days to a week.
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets is common and lessens over time. A desensitizing toothpaste helps.
- Slight bleeding or swelling at first is normal and improves within a few days.
Rinsing
Gently rinse 2 to 3 times a day for 3 to 7 days with either:
- Warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 8 oz of warm water), or
- A peroxide-based rinse such as Peroxyl or alcohol-free Orajel, both over the counter.
Comfort & Diet
- For pain, take Ibuprofen or Tylenol as needed.
- For swelling, ice the cheek 20 minutes on, 20 off the first 24 hours, then a warm compress after.
- Eat soft foods like soup, eggs, and pasta. Avoid hard, crunchy, spicy, or acidic foods, and wait until numbness wears off.
- For tender gums, vitamin E can soothe and help healing, or ask us for StellaLife gel.
Brushing & Habits
- Wait 24 hours before brushing, flossing, or using a water pick, then resume your normal routine to control bacteria.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol for at least 48 hours, as both delay healing and increase discomfort.
Call Us If
- Soreness or swelling is getting worse after the first few days instead of better.
- Bleeding is heavy or does not slow down after a few days.
- You develop a fever or a bad taste that lingers.
- Sensitivity is severe or not improving, or anything concerns you.
How To Keep Your Gums Healthy And Never Go Back
This deep cleaning gave your gums a fresh start. Think of it like a crew that deep-cleaned your house: keep them coming and it stays spotless, but let it go and they start over. Your gums work the same way.
- Brush at the gum line twice a day and floss daily, where the teeth meet the gums on the cheek and tongue sides.
- Keep your perio maintenance visits every 3 months. This is how we stay ahead of the bacteria, keep your gums improving, and stop the disease returning.
- Do not skip them. Skipping visits lets the bacteria rebuild and the gums slip back.
Your next visit is in 6 to 8 weeks, then maintenance every 3 months keeps you healthy!
Questions about your deep cleaning or your recovery? Call the office anytime. We are here for you!
