After gum therapy, in typically 2 weeks, once the gums heal, you can expect to notice less redness, less bleeding and less swelling of your gum tissue. Your mouth will taste, smell and feel better. Your gum health can then be maintained with proper homecare and regular professional care. However, you should expect the following right after your procedure:
Numbness
If we used anesthesia, you will experience numbness in your mouth for several hours after the procedure. Do not bite, scratch, or injure the cheek, lips, or tongue during this time. You can carefully drink little sips of water during this time but avoid eating.
Discomfort
Although, you may experience some pain and discomfort, it should subside within a few days.
Tooth Sensitivity
It is common to have teeth sensitivity to hot, cold and/or sweets. Even if you notice the temperature sensitivity for the first several days, it usually diminishes over time. We may recommend application of a desensitizing fluoride. You can use over the counter sensitivity toothpaste as well.
Bleeding
Brushing and flossing may cause some bleeding, but the bleeding should steadily decrease as your gums heal over next week or so.
Appearance
As the gums heal they may change their shape around the teeth. This is normal as the gum tissues heal and shrink. However this may expose spaces between the teeth that were previously covered with tartar build up or swollen gums. This may cause spaces to show between the front teeth or you may notice more food impaction between the front teeth.
Diet/Eating
Chewing hard foods, such as meat or raw vegetables may be uncomfortable if extensive root planing was performed; this should last no longer than a few days. A diet of a softer consistency would be advised until chewing becomes more comfortable.
Pain
In most cases the discomfort will be minor. However should you feel the need, take any over the counter pain medicine, as needed.
Oral Hygiene
If gum tissues are tender, brush your teeth gently but thoroughly; this may take a little more time than normal. Mouth rinsing is recommended with either of the following solutions: 1) an anti-microbial rinse. 2) A warm salt-water rinse. Use of either of these rinses should be limited to one to two consecutive weeks.
Please call our office with any questions or concerns.
After gum therapy, in typically 2 weeks, once the gums heal, you can expect to notice less redness, less bleeding and less swelling of your gum tissue. Your mouth will taste, smell and feel better. Your gum health can then be maintained with proper homecare and regular professional care. However, you should expect the following right after your procedure:
Numbness
If we used anesthesia, your mouth may be numb for several hours after the procedure.. Do not bite, scratch, or injure the cheek, lips, or tongue during this time. You can carefully drink little sips of water during this time but avoid eating.
Discomfort
Although, you may experience some pain and discomfort, it should subside within a few days.
Tooth Sensitivity
Teeth sensitivity to hot, cold and/or sweets is common. The sensitivity to temperature may be noticeable the first several days and usually diminishes over time. Application of a desensitizing fluoride. You can use over the counter sensitivity toothpaste as well.
Bleeding
Brushing and flossing may cause some bleeding, but the bleeding should steadily decrease as your gums heal over next week or so.
Appearance
As the gums heal they may change their shape around the teeth. This is normal as the gum tissues heal and shrink. However this may expose spaces between the teeth that were previously covered with tartar build up or swollen gums. This may cause spaces to show between the front teeth or you may notice more food impaction between the front teeth. This is in most cases unavoidable especially if your gum disease is advanced.
Diet/Eating
If extensive root planing was performed, chewing hard foods, such as meat or raw vegetables may be uncomfortable; this should last no longer than a few days. A diet of a softer consistency would be advised until chewing becomes more comfortable.
Pain
In most cases, You may experience minor discomfort. However, feel free to take any over the counter pain medicine, as needed.
Oral Hygiene
If gum tissues are tender, brush your teeth gently but thoroughly; this may take a little more time than normal. Mouth rinsing is recommended with either of the following solutions: 1) an anti-microbial rinse. 2) A warm salt-water rinse. Use of either of these rinses should be limited to one to two consecutive weeks.
Please call our office with any questions or concerns.