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Patient Self-Care Following Scaling & Root Planing
Care
ACTIVITY: After leaving our dental office today, we suggest you consider
relaxing or at least limiting your activity as much as possible for an
hour or two. Avoid strenuous activity and all aerobic exercise today,
e.g. jogging, tennis, racket ball, lifting of heavy items, etc.
ORAL HYGIENE: Brushing and oral hygiene procedures should be done as
usual in all areas of your mouth. Removing all plaque from your teeth
and brushing with a fluoride toothpaste or fluoride that we may have
prescribed or given to you will usually reduce or eliminate this sensitivity
in a few days. We recommend that you rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day
with a dilute solution of warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon of salt in a
full glass of comfortably hot water). Do this today and tomorrow. Using
too strong a salt water solution or using it more frequently can increase
discomfort in your gums.
DISCOMFORT: Some discomfort may be present when the anesthesia wears
off. Usually, a couple of Tylenol or Advil will eliminate any discomfort.
Sensitivity of gums or teeth to cold or touch is common. This should
go away in a day or two. Should intense discomfort occur at any time
after this procedure, please call our office. Salt water rinsing as described
above will usually minimize the possibility of gum swelling after this
procedure or can help reduce it if it occurs.
INFECTION: If you notice that after a few days, pain or swelling are
increasing or that you are experiencing an elevated temperature, please
call our office.
SWELLING: Swelling of your face or of your gums after this procedure
is not common and should be reported to our office.
BLEEDING: Slight bleeding may continue for a few hours after this procedure.
This is not unusual and should stop. If bleeding persists beyond a few
hours, please call our office. Most of the red color you may see in your
mouth is actually a little bit of blood mixed with a lot of saliva -
blood is a very strong “dye” and a little bit of blood will
color your saliva dramatically.
EATING AND DRINKING: Do not try to eat until all anesthesia (numbness)
has worn off. Your first meal should be soft. Avoid spicy, salty, acidic,
very hot or very cold foods or liquids. Also, avoid nuts, chips, popcorn,
hard bread, or other crunchy or fibrous foods which may become caught
between your teeth. Please refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages
today.
We want your treatment to provide as positive a healing experience as
possible. If you are having any problems or have any questions not covered
in these guidelines, please feel free to call us at any time. The doctor
can be reached after hours 972-333-6374.
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