Deep cleaning is a vital non-surgical process if you display early signs of gum disease such as inflamed gums, redness, excessive teeth sensitivity, receding gums, et cetera. If you show the signs and symptoms described, you might have gone disease and need gum therapy, alternatively called deep teeth cleaning. It is worth noting that the deep cleaning procedure is best suited for patients with early signs of gum disease and is unsuitable for periodontal disease.
When you receive information that you need deep cleaning, you will likely have several questions. Mentioned below are some questions dentists frequently answer from their patients.
- What information you must have about deep cleaning after-care.
- What must you avoid after deep cleaning?
- How soon can you brush your teeth after deep cleaning?
- Do your gums reattach after deep cleaning?
- How often do you need a deep cleaning?
This article focuses on answering all the questions mentioned above and provides additional information on the procedures you must follow after deep cleaning teeth.
- Deep Cleaning — A Valuable Treatment to Stop Gum Disease
Before we proceed with this article, it is essential for you to note that you must opt for deep cleaning soon as you realize you have gum disease. Gingivitis is chronic and worsens over time.
In the earliest stages, gum disease is preventable and reversible with simple non-surgical deep cleaning. Unfortunately, if you don’t act promptly, gum disease progresses to periodontitis, compelling you to undergo invasive procedures.
While you might fear the deep cleaning process, you help yourself by understanding dentists use updated, cutting-edge techniques and technologies to diagnose the root cause of your problem and provide treatment for gum disease at the earliest. You also receive anesthesia and sedation options to ensure a painless experience without discomfort.
Deep Cleaning Teeth After-Care Tips
After you undergo deep cleaning from the local dentist in Crestwood, you receive a list of things you cannot do as part of the after-care. The tips recommended by the dentist are mentioned below for your reference:
Do Not Consider Eating until Your Mouth Is Numb
Most patients receive instructions not to eat anything before deep cleaning increasing their temptation to have foods immediately after the procedure. However, you must refrain from eating until the anesthesia’s numbness wears off. Trying to eat while your mouth is numb increases the chances of biting your tongue and gums, interrupting the healing process.
Remain Cautious about the Food You Have after Deep Cleaning
You will experience sensitivity with your teeth and gums for some time after deep cleaning. Therefore you must avoid any foods that might disrupt your healing—avoiding acidic foods like oranges and tomatoes, challenging foods like steaks, sharp and crunchy foods like chips, and foods with tiny pieces that might get lodged in your gums.
Over-The-Counter Medication Helps When Discomfort
You will likely experience discomfort after the deep cleaning process. However, you can find relief from the pain using over-the-counter pain relievers, but you must ensure you take the recommended quantity.
Prescription Antibiotics
Your dentist might prescribe antibiotics in some cases to prevent infections. You must take the antibiotics as prescribed and according to schedule.
Swelling and Pain
You can expect swelling and pain for a few days or weeks because the deep cleaning process leaves your gums sensitive. You can use ice packs on your cheeks to manage the swelling. However, you must use the ice packs intermittently on and off for 15 intervals each and not longer because they can create tissue damage. Unfortunately, if you experience excessive swelling, contact your dentist for advice.
Minor Bleeding Expected for 24 to 48 Hours
You can expect minor bleeding for approximately 24 to 48 hours and notice a pinkish hue in your saliva. However, the bleeding is perfectly normal, but you can contact your dentist if it persists beyond 48 hours or if you experience excessive bleeding.
Things to Avoid after Deep Cleaning
- Do not consider eating anything until the anesthesia wears off.
- Refrain from eating sharp, crunchy, and challenging foods on the day of the procedure.
- For 48 hours after the procedure, refrain from having hot beverages.
- Do not rinse your mouth for two days after the procedure.
Do Gums Reattach after the Deep Cleaning?
Removing obstructions like bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your tooth roots ensures the reattachment of your gums. In addition, when the dentist removes the infection and tartar, they also smoothen the roots to allow your gums to heal around your teeth. As a result, you can expect a significant tightening of the gums in approximately five days after deep cleaning.
If you suspect you have gum disease, please schedule an appointment with Family Dental Care — Crestwood to receive the deep cleaning process and prevent the condition from progressing to periodontitis.
