Your treatment today involved thoroughly scaling all plaque, bacterial toxins and tartar deposits from your teeth and root surfaces; and then root planing, which smoothes all rough areas on your roots' surfaces. Smooth root surfaces keep bacteria, plaque and tartar from re-adhering underneath the gum line, allowing your gums to heal and reattach themselves more firmly.

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Anesthetic

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• If an anesthetic was administered for your treatment, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment.  Avoid any chewing and hot foods or liquids until the numbness has completely worn off.  It is easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while numb. 

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• It is recommended that you take some Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) before the anesthetic completely wears off.  This will help with any swelling or pain at the injection sites where your anesthetic was administered. 

 

Pain & Discomfort

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• It is not unusual for your teeth to be more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, and/or sweets.  This occurs as the gum tissue heals and shrinks in size.  Brushing two to three times daily with sensitivity toothpaste or using fluoride rinses may help alleviate this over time.  If sensitivity continues or is severe, professional application of a desensitizing agent may be required. 

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• Take all medications as directed. Do not take medications that you are allergic to.  If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone.

 

Diet

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• Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the procedure. Avoid foods and drinks that are hot in temperature for 48 hours. 

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Oral Hygiene

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• It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include gentle brushing with an ultra soft brush and flossing your teeth at least twice a day.

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• Following treatment, you can rinse with warm salt water (use one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) 2-3 times a day to get relief from any soreness and to help keep the treated area clean and free of any debris.

 

• Consistent and thorough daily oral hygiene is essential to the proper healing of your gum tissues.  Brushing, flossing and rinsing with recommended products are critical. Use any recommended or prescribed products as directed by your Dental Hygienist.

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Activities

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• Sleep with your head in an elevated position for the first few nights if you do not have any physical limitations.

 

• Smoking delays the healing process - do not smoke during the first 24 hours and minimize the number of times you smoke for the remainder of the healing process. 

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• Avoid alcohol for 4 days.  Alcohol is a blood thinner, which will prevent the blood from clotting and will slow the healing process. Do not drink any alcoholic beverages while taking the prescribed medication.

 

Follow Up Treatment

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The success of your treatment depends on keeping all of your scheduled appointments and maintaining your home care as explained by your dentist.  Failure to follow these instructions will result in serious complications that will require further treatment and incur additional fees.

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Following most dental procedures there may or may not be pain, depending on your threshold of pain.  You will be provided with a prescription for appropriate medication for discomfort.  In most cases, a non-narcotic pain regimen will be given consisting of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil).  If a narcotic has been prescribed, follow the directions carefully.  If you have any questions about these medications interacting with other medications you are presently taking, please call our office, your physician and/or your pharmacist.

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IF FOR ANY REASON YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CONDITION, NOTIFY DR MORRIS OR A MEMBER OF OUR OFFICE STAFF IMMEDIATELY BY CALLING THE NUMBERS BELOW IN THE ORDER LISTED.

 

Office (780) 962-3414

The cell number provided by your primary dentist at our office

WestView Health Centre (780) 968-3600 or your nearest hospital