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Post-Operative Instructions Following Scaling and Root Planing

At Venice village Dental, we care about your oral health and we are committed to helping you manage and control your periodontal disease.  As part of our partnership with you, we ask you to maintain your prescribed home care regime, keep your appointment schedule and we will continue to provide you with clinical care and monitor your progress.  After scaling and root planning (non-surgical therapy to treat your periodontal disease), you can expect to notice less redness, bleeding, and swelling of your gum tissue.  You may also notice that your mouth will taste and feel better.

•  Discomfort: Following scaling and root planning, some slight discomfort can be expected.  This may include an occasional slight throbbing or dull aching.  This discomfort will usually subside in about four hours.  You may use a non-aspirin analgesic for tenderness or discomfort such as Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol) unless you are allergic or have medical conditions that prevent taking these medications. 
  
•  Tooth sensitivity: Some patients experience an increased sensitivity to extreme hot, cold, or sweets for a short   time. Sensitivity usually diminishes gradually.  Your dental health care provider may recommend an application of a prescribed fluoride, or other desensitizing medication, to help control sensitivity.
  

• Swelling: You may experience minor swelling of the gum tissue. This should diminish within a couple of days. It is important to note, the more diligent you are about your oral hygiene prescribed home care regimen, the more quickly your gum tissues will heal.
  
• Bleeding: Some slight bleeding may occur during the next several brushings, but the bleeding should steadily diminish.
  
• Appearance: As the gums heal, they may change their shape and color around the teeth.
  
• Diet: If a local anesthetic was used, avoid chewing foods until feeling returns to avoid injury to the tongue or cheeks.  In addition, chewing hard foods, such as meat or raw vegetables may be uncomfortable for a few days.  Foods of a soft consistency, such as cottage cheese, yogurt, soup, softened or mashed vegetables are advised until chewing comfort returns.
  
• Smoking: It is advised that you do not smoke for 24 to 48 hours following treatment.  Smoking can interfere with the healing of your gum tissues.  Additionally, permanent smoking cessation is encouraged, as current evidence indicates that smoking decreases the body’s healing response and ability to combat infection.
  
• Oral Hygiene: Healing of the gum tissues depends on how well you follow and implement your prescribed daily home care regimen which includes effective daily plaque control and removal. It is imperative to gently and thoroughly brush and floss at least twice daily, or more as recommended by your dental health care provider.
  
• Special instructions and care-antibiotics: If your dental healthcare professional has placed an antibiotic under your gums, please postpone brushing your teeth for 12 hours.  Your dentist and hygienist may recommend that you postpone flossing in the treated area for 1 – 10 days.  Postpone use of toothpicks or other devices designed to clean between teeth such as a water pic or other irrigating devices for 28 days.  It is also recommended that you avoid eating hard, crunchy or sticky foods for approximately one week.
  

If your symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsen, please call our office immediately at 941-408-7645.