Aftercare Tips For Root Planing Treatments
If you have a serious case of gum disease, then it may be time to seek out treatment with your dentist. The professional may suggest that scaling and root planing be completed. Once the treatment is completed, there are a few things that you will need to do in the days following the planing. Keep reading to learn what they are.
Use Your Mouth Rinse
Your dentist may place a type of medication underneath the gum tissues to reduce infection concerns. In most cases, an antimicrobial medicine called doxycycline will be used to fight off the bacteria that sit underneath the gums. This medicine can resolve the infection from behind the tissues, but you will also need to keep the exposed gums away from harmful bacteria as well. To help with this, your dentist will prescribe an antibacterial rinse.
Chlorhexidine gluconate is typically the rinse that is prescribed and you will need to use it for a week or two in most cases. When using the rinse, make sure to use the dosage cup that is provided with the rinse. Once the rinse is placed in your mouth, move it around for about 30 seconds. Spit it out afterwards and try not to swallow it. The medication may leave a foul taste in your mouth. However, you should not rinse with water or brush your teeth. This will cause some of the rinse to be washed away and the antimicrobial effects will be reduced.
If you do not want to use a rinse, then your dentist may prescribe an oral antibiotic instead. If you think this is a better option for you, then make sure to indicate this when the planing is completed.
Clean Gums Gently
It is essential that you keep your gums as clean as possible once the planing is completed. If you do not, then another infection may develop. You can prevent this by using a soft bristled toothbrush to gently clean the gums. Use a bacteria fighting toothpaste or a product that is specifically designed to control plaque and tartar.
You also want to clean out the gum pockets that have been treated during the planing. This allows the pockets to close up and heal and this can help to prevent future gum infection issues. Cleaning gum pockets means using a water flosser tool. The flosser does come with different ends, so choose one with a more direct tip so water can be directed towards the gum pockets. Spray the water around the circumference of each tooth and take some time to gently wash out each pocket on the side of every tooth. For more information, contact companies like Fuller Periodontics & Implant Dentistry.
