Managing Discomfort and Numbness

Since your procedure will be performed with anesthesia, your mouth, cheeks, lips, and tongue will likely be numb for a while. During this time, it’s important not to eat – you may accidentally bite yourself.

Once this wears off, you may experience some discomfort. You can take:

• 600 mg ibuprofen every 3-4 hours (no more than 2400 mg in 24 hours) OR
• 1000 mg acetaminophen every 4-6 hours (no more than 4000 mg in 24 hours)

If you’ve been prescribed an antibiotic by your dentist, make sure to take them exactly according to instructions. If you have any questions about medications, please contact us.

Managing Swelling and Bleeding

It’s normal to have some slight swelling in your treatment area. It can be helpful to apply a bag of ice or frozen vegetables covered with a towel. Apply it for 20 minutes at a time and then keep it off for 20 minutes at a time to avoid damaging the skin.

You may notice a pinkish tinge to your saliva for the first two days. This is simply small amounts of blood and is normal. You can rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to help clean your gums. If you have continual bleeding, you can apply pressure with a gauze pad and keep it in place for 20-30 minutes. If you still have bleeding, make sure to contact us.

Tooth and Gum Sensitivity

It’s normal to have some sensitivity to hot and cold for the first few weeks, but this should gradually subside. You can reduce sensitivity by keeping your teeth clean and clear of plaque.

When and What Can I Eat?

You can eat as you’re comfortable once the anesthetic wears off. Make sure to avoid:

• Sticky foods
• Hard foods (nuts, popcorn, ice cubes, chips)
• Spicy foods
• Acidic foods and drinks

It can be helpful to start with soft foods like soup, pasta, eggs, or potatoes. Make sure to avoid hot foods since your teeth may be especially sensitive.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns after your deep cleaning procedure, don’t hesitate to contact us. Give us a call at (415) 523-9178 or fill out our online contact form to reach our team.