Post-op Instruction for Scaling/Root Planing

We all want to be able to smile and eat without pain and infection. At Smiles Family Dentistry, our hygiene program is designed to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy for your lifetime.

To treat your gum infection, a non-surgical procedure known as Scaling & Root Planing, or SRP, is being used. This was done to remove plaque and tartar below the gum line to help heal the infected gum tissue. We need to shrink and heal the gum "pockets" that form when bone is destroyed by the bacterial infection because they tend to trap more germs making the disease get even worse.

Do NOT eat anything until the anesthesia wears off, as you might bite your lips, cheek, or tongue and cause damage.

• Refrain from smoking for at least 24 hours after the procedure to ensure healthy healing of gum tissues. Moreover, smoking has been proven to cause and accelerate plaque build-up that eventually causes periodontal disease. Finally, smoking can reverse the success of the scaling and root planning treatment.
• Swallow your saliva and do not rinse your mouth as this can prolong the bleeding.
• Do not floss the treated area tonight. Start your required flossing the following evening after 24 hours.
• Brush your mouth very gently as it may be tender or bleeding for a day or two.
• Use the prescribed medication such as chlorhexidine gluconate as recommended or the salt water treatment indicated below.
• Brush twice daily, use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
• Avoid extremely hot or cold food for the next 24-48 hours. It is also essential to avoid acidic foods (your tooth will be sensitive) and hard foods such as popcorn, chips, or seeds for several days. Sharp particles of these foods can become lodged in the spaces between the teeth and gums, further irritating the tissues and causing setbacks.

After this procedure, you may experience mild discomfort. If necessary use salt water rinses (½ tsp salt in an 8 oz glass of warm water) 3-4 X a day and a mild OTC pain reliever such as Advil 200-400 mg if necessary. If you have discomfort that persists more than a day or two or have any questions, please contact the office.

Tooth sensitivity is common after periodontal care and this will usually go away after time. Tartar build up on your teeth insulates the teeth from heat or cold and after the plaque has been removed, the teeth are exposed to more sensations hence the sensitivity.

Several days after deep cleaning has been completed, your gums should appear more pink, less swollen, and bleed less. These are signs of healing and improving periodontal health.

After the completion of treatment it is important to follow good home care which includes regular brushing, flossing, using a mouth rinse (prescription or over the counter). Your Dentist/Hygienist may put you on a 3-4 month follow up care. Failure to comply with it will return your gum condition back to square one. Regular follow up care will create an environment for the gums and bone to heal and will prevent further destruction. Gum disease is a silent disease and the importance of follow up care cannot be overemphasized. Periodontal maintenance every 3 Months is needed to monitor and maintain your progress.