Gums Healing After Deep Teeth Cleaning
Periodontal disease can have a detrimental effect on your oral health so if you are diagnosed with gingivitis or a more severe form of periodontal disease, it is important to receive the treatment that your dentist recommends and begin to visit your dentist more frequently for professional cleanings.
In order to diagnose periodontal disease, your dental hygienist will measure the depth of the gum pockets between your gum tissue and tooth structure. Healthy gum pockets measure only a few millimeters but if they measure a depth of five millimeters or more, your hygienist may advise you to have a deep cleaning to clear the infection and heal your gums. During a deep cleaning, the area being treated is numbed with a local anesthetic. This allows the hygienist to scale deep below the gum line to remove plaque buildup and bacteria which will allow your gum tissue to heal closer to the tooth structure. A deep cleaning is usually completed over the course of a couple of appointments, typically one side of the mouth at a time. This makes it easier on the patient and avoids numbing the entire mouth at one extended visit.
Left untreated, periodontal disease can rapidly lead to gum recession, loss of bone structure, and eventually tooth loss. After a deep cleaning, you may experience some discomfort which will subside within a few days. It is important to maintain a more frequent cleaning schedule to make sure your gums remain healthy.
What are the side effects of a deep cleaning?
It is normal to experience a bit of bleeding when you floss and brush your teeth as well as a minor tooth sensitivity. You may also experience a bit of swelling and irritation which should be manageable with over-the-counter pain medications. All of this should begin to subside within a few days as your gum tissue heals. You may benefit from incorporating a toothpaste for sensitive teeth as well as an antibiotic mouthwash. Your dentist will help you determine which oral care products will be best for you to use while you heal and after.
After a deep cleaning, your gum tissue will be sore and tender so you will want to avoid eating anything overly crunchy or hard to chew such as granola or crusty bread. After eating, consider rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water solution to help clear food particles from your open gum pockets. This will also serve as a soothing way to calm inflammation and irritation.
Oral Hygiene After a Deep Cleaning
It is important to be extra gentle when brushing and flossing after receiving a deep cleaning. Your gum tissue will be very tender but it is important to maintain a good oral care routine. Your dentist will likely want to see you 4 to 6 weeks after your deep cleaning to make sure that everything is healing properly and to re-measure your gum pockets. Any pockets that have not progressed may need an antibiotic chip which your hygienist can place to help the healing progress and clear any infection. They may also want you to see a specialist if any further treatment is required.