Oral Care After Deep Cleaning

After your deep cleaning

• Avoid eating until numbness has worn off to prevent tongue/cheek biting.
• Eat soft foods until soreness has subsided.
• Moderate discomfort and swelling is normal. 600mg of Ibuprofen can be alternated with 500mg of Tylenol every 3 hours to control pain and swelling. Do not take more than 3200mg of ibuprofen or 4000mg of Tylenol per day.
• Rinse your mouth after eating and before bed with either prescription mouthwash or warm salt water (¼ teaspoon salt per 1 cup of water) for the first 3 days. Continue rinsing with prescription mouthwash every 12 hours for an additional 2 weeks.
• Perform consistent and thorough oral hygiene. Preventing plaque build up under your gums during the first week after deep cleaning is essential to the success of this treatment.
• Return for evaluation. Your follow-up appointment after your deep cleaning will help us determine if the treatment is working as expected. The hygienist will re-record your pocket depths and polish your teeth. If any areas need additional interventions or close monitoring, these will be noted and discussed.
• Return for regular cleanings. Most patients who have had a deep cleaning in their lifetime are recommended to have maintenance cleanings 3x a year to prevent build-up and disease progression. This is not optional. It is essential for the long-term success of your treatment. If you skip several maintenance cleanings, you will most likely need another expensive deep cleaning upon return to the dental office.