After undergoing Scaling and Root Planing (SRP), it’s essential to follow specific post-operative instructions to ensure a smooth recovery and optimize the treatment’s effectiveness:
- Don’t eat until the numbness has completely worn off to avoid accidentally biting yourself or burning your mouth with hot food or drinks.
- Oral Hygiene: Gently brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and use a dentist-recommended toothpaste. Start flossing gently after 24 hours, avoiding harsh movements that could irritate the gums.
- If you do not have high blood pressure, use a warm saltwater rinse (1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) several times a day to help soothe your gums. If you have high blood pressure, your dentist may recommend a prescribed antimicrobial mouthwash. Follow the specific instructions provided by your dentist for its use to maintain oral health.
- Diet: Eat soft foods for the first few days. Avoid seeds, nuts, and other foods that could get stuck in your gums.
- Pain Management: Some discomfort is normal. Use over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended by your dentist. Ice packs applied to the face can also reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Avoid smoking for at least 48-72 hours to aid healing. Smoking during the healing process can impede recovery and increase the risk of complications.
- Attend Follow-up Visits: Return to your dentist for a check-up as advised. They will monitor your healing and the effectiveness of the treatment.
Why Teeth May Feel Sensitive After Tartar Removal
- When plaque and tartar build up on your teeth, they can harm the gums and bone close to the teeth. The gums can get red, swollen, and soft, and they pull back more as the tartar gets thicker. If this isn’t treated, the tooth can start to lose the bone that holds it in place, and it might get so loose that you could lose the tooth. That’s why we clean the tartar away.
- The part of your tooth that’s usually under your gums doesn’t have the hard, protective cover that the rest of your tooth has. When this part gets exposed because the gums and bone have pulled back, it can be very sensitive. It’s sensitive because it’s not used to being in contact with things like hot or cold after the tartar that was covering it is cleaned off.
Sensitivity is usually temporary and should diminish as your gums heal. If sensitivity persists, consult your dentist. They may recommend specific toothpaste for sensitive teeth or other treatments to help reduce discomfort.