Deep Cleaning: How Long Does It take for your Gums To Heal?
Gum or periodontal disease is a mild to severe infection or inflammation of the gum tissues. The American Academy of Periodontology suggests that about 64.7 million adult Americans have gum disease. When not treated promptly and effectively, gum disease can progress, leading to severe discomfort, tooth loss, bone loss, and other complications.
Thanks to advanced technology in dentistry, there are several ways to treat and reverse gum disease. For moderate gum disease, deep cleaning is an excellent way to restore the health of your gums. The procedure entails removing bacterial plaque and tartar above and below the gum line to allow your gums to heal. This article looks at what happens during deep cleaning and how to speed up your recovery.
What Happens During Scaling and Root Planing?
Deep cleaning has two main parts, scaling and root planing. You’ll be under sedation to prevent pain or discomfort during the procedure. With scaling, the dentist uses a special dental scaler to remove plaque and calculus above and deep in the gum pockets. Removing these deposits prevents the infection from spreading further and minimizes the gum pockets, allowing the gums to reattach to the teeth snugly.
With root planing, the dentist smoothens the tooth’s roots, making it harder for plaque and bacteria to attach to the roots. It also makes it easier for the gums to reattach to the teeth snugly. Based on the amount of plaque and tartar buildup, you can complete the procedure in one or two appointments.
Once the anesthesia wears off, you might experience minor gum soreness, discomfort, and swelling. However, these effects should fade away within a few days. You must follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions to promote faster healing and recovery.
Why is deep cleaning necessary?
If you don’t get a deep cleaning, more plaque and tartar will continue to build below the gum, creating deeper periodontal pockets. The infection slowly spreads to the underlying connective tissues and jawbone, leading to jawbone loss, loose teeth, tooth loss, and other complications.
When untreated, periodontal infection can also spread to vital body organs like the brain and heart, increasing your risk of severe health conditions like pneumonia, heart diseases, and lung problems.
Deep cleaning is essential to stop the infection from spreading and to restore your gums’ health. If you have severe gum disease or periodontitis, you may need more invasive treatments like flap surgery and soft tissue grafting to remove the gum infection and heal your gums.
Tips to minimize pain and promote faster healing
Below are practical tips to promote faster healing and reduce pain and other side effects:
- Take medication as prescribed. The dentist will likely prescribe medication after the procedure to reduce pain and swelling and prevent new infections. If you don’t have a prescription from your dentist, you can try over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Contact our Somerset dentist if you experience severe discomfort, bleeding, swelling, or fever.
- Rinse with salt water. Gargling or rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater solution can help reduce swelling and prevent infection.
- Eat a soft diet. Since your gums are already sore, it’s essential to avoid food items that can worsen your symptoms. For instance, hard, crunchy, chewy, hot, spicy, and acidic foods can hurt or irritate the gums, leading to more swelling and pain and delayed healing.
- Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride toothpaste can minimize sensitivity and gum tenderness, helping you heal faster.
- Proper oral hygiene. Excellent hygiene is essential to wash away debris and bacteria and prevent infections. Brush gently to avoid irritating the gums.
How long will it take for gums to heal?
On average, it takes about 5 – 7 days for your gums to heal after deep cleaning. During this period, it’s possible to experience minor gum soreness, swelling, and tooth sensitivity. Your dentist will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your healing and ensure you don’t develop a new gum infection after the procedure.
In some cases, you may need further treatments like antibiotic medications or even surgery to treat your gum effectively. Your dentist will discuss these details during your initial appointment.
Are you ready to book your deep cleaning appointment?
For more information about deep cleaning, dental exams, and other dental treatments, contact KK-Dental-Somerset to speak with our dental team.