Post Op Care
professional dental care in portland
Post-Procedure Care Tips
At Advanced Dental Arts NW in Portland, we’re committed to ensuring your smooth recovery after dental treatments. Our post-op care guidelines help reduce discomfort, promote healing, and protect your oral health. Follow our expert tips and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions—your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities.
Deep Cleaning After-Care
So you just finished your scaling and root planing appointment - what now?
Scaling and root planing—often called a “deep cleaning”—is a non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease. Its main goal is to stop further bone loss by removing the plaque and tartar buildup around the teeth and beneath the gums. By completing this treatment, you’ve taken a big step toward improving your oral health and are well on your way to healthier teeth and gums!
What to avoid after your appointment
After your visit, avoid eating on the treated side for at least 2 hours or until the numbness fully wears off. Take care not to bite or burn your cheek, tongue, or lips while you're still numb. It’s normal to feel some tenderness when opening and closing your mouth or near the injection site. Stick to soft foods and avoid hard or crunchy items like popcorn, tortilla chips, or nuts for a few days.
Pain relief
To help with any discomfort, we recommend taking a non-aspirin pain reliever like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen), unless your doctor has advised otherwise. You can take the medication right after treatment and continue every 8 hours or as needed. Rinsing with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) can also help soothe the area.
Managing tooth sensitivity after treatment
It’s normal to experience increased sensitivity to sweets or hot and cold foods after treatment. To ease discomfort, we recommend using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth—such as Sensodyne, ProEnamel, or Prevident—or a fluoride mouthwash. Want to skip the store? Pick up Prevident toothpaste right at our front desk! Avoid whitening or baking soda-based toothpastes, as they can be abrasive and may worsen sensitivity.
Healing process
It’s normal to notice some bleeding when brushing and flossing immediately after your scaling and root planing treatment—don’t worry, this should gradually improve. Over the next few weeks, you’ll likely see less redness, bleeding, and swelling in your gums. Your teeth may feel smoother, and your mouth will have a fresher taste (yay!). Be sure to avoid smoking for 24–48 hours, as tobacco can slow down the healing process.
Keep up the care
Consistent brushing and flossing are essential for healing and maintaining the results of your treatment. For the best outcome, we also recommend using an electric toothbrush like Sonicare or Oral-B, along with a Waterpik to enhance your oral hygiene routine.
Ongoing periodontal maintenance
After scaling and root planing, we recommend scheduling cleanings every 3–4 months to help maintain your periodontal health and prevent regression. These visits allow your hygienist to thoroughly clean beneath the gumline, targeting the plaque and bacteria that contribute to periodontal disease. Your cleanings will shift from standard prophylaxis to periodontal maintenance, which focuses on deeper, more targeted care. Insurance coverage may differ for these appointments, but don’t worry—our team will verify your benefits and provide an estimated co-pay in advance.
Caring for Your Temporaries
We’re thrilled you’ve chosen Advanced Dental Arts NW to be part of your smile transformation—it’s a big step, and we’re here to support you every step of the way!
Your temporary restorations are like a preview of your final smile. While they aren’t exact replicas, they give you a chance to get a feel for the shade, length, and shape before the final versions are crafted. Just remember—your permanent crowns or veneers will look more natural, feel smoother, be stronger, and will be individually made rather than connected.
About your temporary restorations
You’ll typically wear your temporaries for 3 to 4 weeks. Rest assured, we won’t permanently cement your final crowns until you’re completely happy with their look and fit.
If you have any questions or concerns during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office—we’re always here to support you!Foods you should avoid
While wearing your temporary restorations, try not to bite directly into foods with your front teeth—things like pizza, sandwiches, and apples should be cut into small pieces and chewed with your back teeth instead.
To protect your temporaries, avoid hard foods such as nuts, granola, crusty bread, and raw apples. Also, steer clear of highly pigmented foods and drinks like curry, turmeric, berries, red wine, and tea, as they can cause staining. No need to worry—your final crowns will be much more durable and resistant to staining!Hygiene instructions for your temporaries
While wearing your temporary restorations, please avoid using your retainer or night guard unless it fits on the opposite arch from your treatment area.
Continue brushing your teeth as usual, and using a Waterpik is perfectly fine. However, please refrain from flossing around the temporaries during this period to ensure proper healing and protection.Issues you might experience with your temporaries
If your temporary restorations break or come off, don’t hesitate to contact our office right away. This happens more often than you might expect and can sometimes mean that adjustments are needed for your final crowns to fit your bite perfectly.
It’s also completely normal to experience some sensitivity in your gums and teeth while wearing your temporaries—this is part of the process, and we’re here to help you through it.