Gums Healing After Deep Teeth Cleaning
After a deep teeth cleaning, patients report some discomfort or sensitivity for a couple of days, and, according to the American Dental Association, it can take around four to six weeks for the gums to completely heal. You’ll receive a detailed aftercare plan from your periodontist following a dental deep clean, but there are some universal steps you should follow to support your gums through this healing process.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day, using a soft toothbrush and brushing gently to avoid irritating the gums.
- Wait a day following deep teeth cleaning before you use dental floss or another interdental cleaning tool.
- Use an antibacterial or medicated mouth rinse, as prescribed or recommended by your dentist, to safely keep the oral tissues clean as they heal.
- For the first 24 hours following treatment, adhere to a diet of soft, mild foods.
- Use over-the-counter pain relief medications or salt water rinses to soothe the oral tissues and reduce inflammation.
- Avoid using tobacco or consuming alcohol during healing.
- Attend all recommended follow-up appointments to allow your dentist to monitor healing.
As the gums heal after a deep teeth cleaning treatment, gum tissue reattaches to the roots of the tooth. As periodontal disease progresses, however, it destroys gum tissue, which may mean that there is a lack of sufficient healthy gum tissue for comprehensive gum reattachment. While a deep cleaning can remove active inflammation and infection, it can’t help lost gum tissue grow back. The fact is that once the bone, ligaments, and gums are destroyed by periodontitis, that tissue is gone for good. However, there are some auxiliary treatments, commonly performed in conjunction with dental deep cleanings, that can help support and supplement existing healthy tissue and help keep your teeth and gums safe from further bacterial invasion and destruction. Some of these surgeries might include the following:
- Flap surgery, also known as pocket-reduction surgery, to more thoroughly clean the tooth roots
- Soft tissue grafts, used to cover areas of gum recession with donor tissue
- Bone grafting, performed to build bone back up and provide greater support for the teeth
- Guided tissue regeneration, which helps manage tissue growth and support the regrowth of bone after grafting
- Tissue-stimulating proteins, which are topically applied gels that help stimulate the growth of healthy tissues
The goal of any of these periodontal treatments is to restore the oral cavity to health. A healthy oral cavity has sufficient bone to keep the natural teeth sturdily in position in the mouth, and sufficient healthy connective tissue and gum tissue to support the teeth and protect their roots from the invasive bacteria in plaque and tartar. While deep teeth cleaning can help treat periodontitis, maintaining effective oral hygiene habits is crucial to prolonging these beneficial effects. To prevent gum disease from returning, follow your dentist’s recommendations for daily hygiene, brushing correctly at least twice a day and flossing daily, and be sure to schedule and attend routine dental checkups. Regular dental checkups are integral to the early detection of gum disease, and professional cleanings help reverse gum disease when it is detected early, making routine checkups a vital part of preventing periodontal disease and reducing the many damaging risks it poses.