Cosmetic Dentist in Portland OR | Bling Dental

Looking for the best dentist Portland? Welcome to Bling Dental! Our cosmetic dentists will help you straighten your smile in the fastest and most discreet way.

926 Northwest 13th Avenue #150 Portland, OR, 97209 United States

(503) 227-2444

Bling Dental is a leading Cosmetic Dentist in Portland, OR focusing on improving smiles using Invisalign, Teeth Whitening, Dental Implants, and Veneers.

 

Deep Cleaning After-care

So you just finished your appointment - what now?

AFTER YOUR DEEP CLEANING…

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease. It can also be thought of or referred to as a “deep cleaning.” The purpose of this treatment is to prevent further bone loss by removing bacterial plaque and tartar that have built around the teeth and under the gums. By completing this treatment, you just took a HUGE step in your oral care journey and are now on the road to your healthiest teeth and gums.

STILL NUMB?

After your appointment, avoid eating on the treated area for 2 hours or until the anesthetic has worn off completely. Be careful to not bite or burn your cheek, tongue, or lips while numb. Tenderness with opening and closing your mouth or at the site of the injection is common. Avoid eating hard foods such as popcorn, tortilla chips, or nuts for several days.

PAIN RELIEF

We recommend taking a non-aspirin pain reliever such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) unless contraindicated by your doctor. These medications can be taken immediately after treatment to reduce discomfort and can be readministered every 8 hours or as needed. Warm salt water rinses (1 tsp salt to 8 oz. water) may also provide relief.

SENSITIVITY?

Increased sensitivity to sweets and hot or cold foods may occur and is normal. We recommend using a sensitive toothpaste (like Sensodyne, ProEnamel, Prevident, etc) or using a fluoride mouthwash to help alleviate this over time. Save a trip to the store and snag some Prevident Toothpaste at our front desk! Avoid using toothpastes with “whitening” or baking soda as they are abrasive and could contribute to the problem.

HEALING

Immediately after scaling and root planing you may notice some bleeding while brushing and flossing. Don’t panic - this should decrease over time. You can expect to see less redness, bleeding, and swelling of your gum tissues over the following weeks. Your teeth may feel smoother and your mouth will taste better. (Yay!) Refrain from smoking for 24-48 hours after scaling and root planing as tobacco will delay soft tissue healing.

YOUR PART

Regular brushing and flossing is vital to the healing process, ensuring good results from the treatment. Additionally, we recommend using an electric toothbrush (Sonicare or Oral-B) and a Waterpik for best results.

MAINTENANCE

After scaling and root planing is completed, we recommend frequent cleanings (3-4 months) to ensure your periodontal health does not regress. These appointments allow your hygienist time to clean under the gums and are very important to stabilize your periodontal disease to help you keep your teeth healthy. Your cleanings will be upgraded from a regular prophylaxis cleaning to a periodontal maintenance cleaning, where they will be able to focus on targeting the harmful plaque and bacteria underneath the gum lines. Periodontal maintenance cleanings may have a difference insurance coverage than the cleanings you previously got – don’t worry, our insurance team will verify this and send you any estimated co-pay prior to your appointment.