Post-Operative Instructions: Scale & Clean, Root Planing, and Periodontal Treatment.
At Yaas Dental in Narre Warren, we take your oral health seriously. After undergoing professional cleaning, root planing, or periodontal treatment, proper care at home is essential to promote healing, reduce discomfort, and maintain the benefits of your treatment. Below are the post-treatment care instructions to help ensure a smooth recovery.
What to Expect After Treatment
It’s normal to experience some of the following symptoms for a few days:
- Gum tenderness or soreness
- Mild bleeding during brushing
- Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Slight tooth mobility (temporary)
Pain and Discomfort
- You may take over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless otherwise advised by your dentist.
- Avoid aspirin, as it may increase bleeding.
Eating and Drinking
- Avoid hard, crunchy, spicy, or very hot foods for at least 24 hours. Stick to soft, lukewarm foods that are gentle on your gums.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco for 24–48 hours, as these can irritate healing gums and slow recovery.
Oral Hygiene After Treatment
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is critical during the healing period:
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush on the same day of your treatment, even if your gums are tender.
- Start flossing the day after your treatment. Use gentle techniques to avoid gum injury.
- Avoid toothpicks and electric toothbrushes for 24 hours post-treatment.
- You may begin rinsing with warm salt water (1 tsp of salt in 1 cup of warm water) 2–3 times a day to reduce inflammation and discomfort.
- From the day after treatment, you may use an antibacterial mouthwash such as Listerine twice daily to help minimise plaque buildup.
- Continue your regular brushing routine twice a day and flossing once daily.
Tooth Sensitivity
- It’s common to experience increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods after periodontal treatment.
- This sensitivity usually improves over a few weeks.
- We may recommend using a sensitive toothpaste, such as Sensodyne or Colgate Pro Relief, to ease symptoms.
Gum Appearance and Healing
- As your gums heal and inflammation reduces, you may notice that your teeth look longer. This is due to gum shrinkage and exposure of more root surface, which is a normal part of the healing process following periodontal treatment.
- Continued care and maintenance are essential to prevent further gum recession or disease.
Follow-Up and Maintenance
- You may be asked to return for a periodontal maintenance visit every 3–6 months depending on your condition.
- These appointments are crucial to monitor your gum health and prevent recurrence of gum disease.
When to Contact Us
Call Yaas Dental at 03 8774 2115 if you experience:
- Excessive or prolonged bleeding
- Swelling that increases after 2–3 days
- Severe pain not relieved by medication
- Signs of infection such as pus or fever
Final Note
The success of periodontal treatment greatly depends on your home care routine and regular dental visits. Please follow these instructions carefully and contact us if you have any concerns.