Your personal instructions come first.
Use this page as a reminder of the guidance you received in the office. If anything here differs from the directions provided by your dentist, follow your dentist’s directions and call us with questions.
The First 24–72 Hours
Mild bleeding, gum tenderness, tooth sensitivity, and limited swelling can occur after a deep cleaning. Follow the medication plan provided by your dental team. If bleeding is excessive or symptoms worsen instead of improving, contact the office.
- Use gauze or a moist black tea bag with gentle pressure for minor bleeding.
- Apply a wrapped cold pack for 15–20 minutes at a time if swelling occurs.
- Choose soft, lukewarm foods for the first day and avoid hot, spicy, or crunchy foods.
Oral Hygiene
- Resume gentle brushing the day after treatment using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- If scaling and root planing was completed without a laser, avoid flossing the treated area for 24 hours; if a laser was used, follow the longer interval given by your clinician.
- Resume a water flosser after 72 hours unless your clinician gives different instructions.
- Use any prescribed or recommended alcohol-free rinse exactly as directed.
Protect Your Healing
- Avoid smoking for at least 48 hours and avoid alcohol for the first few days.
- Finish prescribed antibiotics as directed and contact us if side effects develop.
- Attend every periodontal follow-up and maintenance appointment.
- Wear a prescribed guard or splint to control clenching or grinding.
Call Us If
- Bleeding is heavy or does not stop with gentle pressure.
- Swelling, pain, or sensitivity becomes severe or continues to worsen.
- You have a reaction to medication or cannot take it as prescribed.