Menu

Periodontal Therapy

What was done today?

Today you had a procedure called root planing (deep cleaning). The purpose of these procedures is to restore the health of the gum tissue by:

  1. Removing deep calculus (tartar) deposits on the roots of your teeth
  2. Providing a smooth root surface to reduce new calculus buildup
  3. Flushing the diseased pocket of all the loose biofilm of bacteria
  4. Removing the diseased soft tissue that lines the pocket wall

What should I expect after the appointment?

To fully achieve improved gum health and reduce any unnecessary discomfort, your cooperation is essential.

  1. Home Care: Healing is dependent on complete plaque removal. Use a soft toothbrush (or Rotadent) to clean your teeth, being careful not to traumatize the healing gum tissue. Flossing should be started after 24 hours.
  2. Discomfort: To reduce possible discomfort following your treatment, take an analgesic (Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil or Aleve) before the numbing wears off. Follow the dosage instructions on the bottle.
  3. Bleeding: Tissues may feel bruised and slight bleeding may also occur for approximately 24 hours. Bleeding is nature's way of flushing the area of bacteria, and helping the healing process. However, if bleeding becomes heavy or constant, please call me.
  4. Rinsing: Rinse with a warm salt-water solution (½ teaspoon of table salt in ½ cup of warm water). Do this three times a day for two days following your appointment. This will soothe the gum tissue and improve circulation for healing.
  5. Diet: Avoid smoking, eating hot (temperature) and spicy foods and drinking alcoholic beverages for the first 24 hours to prevent any burning sensation. Avoid nuts, seeds, chips and popcorn for the first 24 hours. These could get lodged under the gum tissue and could delay healing.
  6. Fluids: Be sure to drink at least 2 quarts of water per day to keep you well-hydrated.
  7. Tooth Sensitivity: Some tooth sensitivity may be present. This is usually a temporary condition. If you do experience any tooth sensitivity, you may use a desensitizing toothpaste (Sensodyne or Crest for Sensitive Teeth) to help reduce this discomfort.

Contact Us

Send Us An Email Today! We'll Provide You With That Winning Smile!

Our Location

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:00 am-3:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:00 am-3:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed