Please read and follow these procedures. They will make you more comfortable and prevent any possible complications.
CARE OF YOUR MOUTH: Rinse your mouth 2-3 times per day with warm (coffee temp.) salt water. One teaspoon salt/8oz water. Start home care as instructed, immediately. In the beginning you may have to be gentle.
DISCOMFORT: Your gums may become “achy” and a couple of Aspirin or Ibuprofen will eliminate any discomfort.
Sensitivity to cold may temporarily occur. Removing all plaque from the tooth and placing a dab of fluoride toothpaste on the “touchy” tooth will stop cold or touch sensitivity in a few days.
EATING: Your next meal should be soft. Avoid any hard “chippy” foods like Fritos, potato chips, popcorn, etc. for the next 3-4 days.
SWELLING: Swelling or jaw stiffness occur very rarely, however, if it does, place warm moist towels to the face in the area of the stiffness.
SMOKING: Please do not smoke following scaling and root planning procedures. Tobacco smoke is an irritant to healing. Refrain from smoking for 24 hours or longer.
Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal Maintenance is performed following therapeutic periodontal treatment – either surgical or nonsurgical (such as the “deep cleaning” or “scaling and root planning”). Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that requires ongoing therapy. A patient is never “cured” of periodontal disease, but it can be stabilized. The recare interval will be 3 months. This is the standard from evidence-based research. During a 3 month period, the bacterial pathogens that cause active periodontal disease begin to repopulate or colonize, hence can reactivate the disease.
Your oral, dental, and overall health is a team approach – your dentist, hygienist, and you. Please don’t hesitate to discuss your care with our team.