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Key Benefits of Accurate Dental Care and Instructions:

• Make post-op infection less likely or less severe.

• Reduce local bleeding at the time of the periodontal therapy and after.

• Promote post-cleaning healing.

What to do After Teeth Cleaning

• Slight bleeding is natural at this stage of healing (during the first 48 hours).
• Some blood will ooze from the area of scaling for several hours and it is normal.
• Do not spit, or suck through a straw, since this will promote bleeding.
• When bleeding persists at home, place a gauze pad or cold wet teabag over the area and bite firmly for 30 minutes.
• Avoid rubbing the area with your tongue.
• Keep your head elevated on several pillows or sit in a lounge chair for 12 hours.
• DO NOT SMOKE for 24 hours after periodontal therapy because this will cause bleeding, pain and interfere with healing.

• After the procedure, you may begin rinsing with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt in 1/2 cup [4 ounces] of warm water, and stir until the salt dissolves) after tooth-brushing and every 3 hours. Swish for one minute, then spit out the solution.
• Swish Butler Rincinol™ P.R.N.™ in your mouth and it will find any sores, providing fast, effective pain relief.

• It is essential that you keep the teeth as clean as possible and bacteria-free after your visit to allow optimum healing. The root surfaces may be sensitive to cold and touch for several days or weeks, but this sensitivity will disappear with time and thorough home care. Brush your teeth thoroughly, but gently.
• Brush your teeth thoroughly, but gently.

• Get plenty of rest; at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Avoid strenuous exercise during the first 24 hours, and keep the mouth from excessive movement. Physical activity may increase bleeding.

• Numbness will remain in some areas for a few to several hours. Use caution when eating until numbness is gone to avoid injuring your lip or tongue. Drinking fluids may be difficult due to loss of feeling.
• Use a liquid or soft diet high in protein. Drink a large volume of water and fruit juices.
• Do not drink through a straw because this may promote bleeding.
• Avoid hot food for the first 24 hours after scaling because this may promote bleeding.
• Eat a soft foods or diet for the first 24 hours after teeth scaling, chewing on the side of the mouth opposite the treated site.
• Avoid foods that require excessive chewing (nuts, shell-type foods, such as popcorn, or anything with small seeds). Try to avoid extreme heat and cold, for it may cause sensitivity to the teeth.
• You can resume a normal diet the day after scaling.

• Some discomfort is normal after scaling. It can be controlled by taking the pain medication your dentist has prescribed or recommended.
• Start taking your  pain pills before the numbing medication has worn off.
• Take your pain pill with an 8 oz. glass of water and/or a small amount of food to prevent nausea.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications or Painkillers may be used for temporary pain relief. Take these as directed on the package and around the clock. Do not overdosing on these generic drugs:
• ASPIRIN, or IBUPROFEN, or KETOPROFEN, or NAPROXEN SODIUM, or ACETAMINOPHEN

• Swelling after scaling is not common.
• Swelling reaches its maximum about 48 hours after periodontal therapy, and usually lasts 4-6 days.
• Applying ice packs over the area for the first 24 hours (no longer than 20 minutes at a time) helps control swelling and may you more comfortable.
• Heat is not used for swelling.

• Some mild bruising in the area are very rear.
• This is a normal response in some persons and should not be cause for alarm.
• It will disappear in 7-14 days.

• If stitches were placed in area of your periodontal therapy, your dentist will tell you if and when they need to be removed (usually in about 1 week).
• Many times stitches are used which are self-dissolving (7-10 days) and do not require removal.

• You experience discomfort you cannot control with your pain pills.
• You have bleeding that you cannot control by biting on gauze.
• You have increased swelling after the third day following scaling.
• You have a fever.
• You have any questions.

Keeping Infection Under Control After Scaling and Root Planing

If you have difficulty fighting off infections you may need to take antibiotics after teeth scaling. This includes those who:

• Have had bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the lining of the heart.

• Were born with heart defects.

• Have damaged or artificial heart valves.

• Have artificial joints, such as a hip replacement.

• Have diabetes or another disease that causes an impaired immune system.

• Take steroids for other conditions, such as Crohn's disease or asthma.

Aleksandr V. Melekhin, DDS

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