1. After Care Instructions for Periodontal Treatment
Why was this treatment necessary?
It is important to clean your teeth and gums from the bacteria causing the disease in the mouth.
The bacteria are destroying the bone and gums, which can eventually lead to pain and tooth loss.
The sooner the bacteria can be removed, the sooner the healing process can begin.
What should be expected after treatment?
Healing is expected after periodontal debridement with great home care and a visit to the
hygienist every three month. It there is not healing, and then it is common to see a periodontitis
for a periodontal surgery.
What is likely to be experienced? What is normal and what is not?
It is likely that directly after treatment the area that was worked on will be sore and sensitive.
However the sensitivity is often due to a softer part of the tooth being exposed to air and the oral
cavity. The tooth will adapt and this sensitivity will disappear over time. If the area is sore it is
likely due to the injection, and the soreness will also disappear in a few days.
What can be done to help healing?
The best thing to do to help healing to have great homecare by brushing, using an interproximal
aid, and recommended mouth rinse.
What should not be done?
After periodontal treatment it is important to return every three months to check on the health of
the mouth. Do NOT disappear by not returning to the office to have regular checkups. The
disease will return and progress if regular maintenance is not preformed.
What can be done to reduce pain?
To help healing after treatment patients should make sure that they take Ibuprofen or Tylenol
before the numbness goes away for maximum comfort.
What if something unexpected happens?
If anything happens that is not expected or causes concern please give the office a call
How important is their home care? Why?
Homecare is crucial to healing after periodontal debridement. It is important once that area has
been cleaned by the hygienist that the patient does their part at home to keep their teeth clean.
Healing will not happen without lots of work from the patient. Brushing for two minutes twice a
day and using an interproximal aid such as flossing at least once a day is how the patient can do
their part in making sure that healing happens. If homecare is not happening, then the disease
will reoccur, even if the patient is coming into the office to see the hygienist every three months
as they should. The hygienist can only do so much; healing is in the patients’ hands.