Gums Healing After Deep Teeth Cleaning

Gums heal after a deep teeth cleaning, or scaling and root planing, through a natural process of recovery and regeneration. The healing process, however, depends on the extent of gum disease, the patient's personal oral hygiene habits, and how well instructions for post-procedure care are followed.

The First Steps Toward Healing

Immediately following the procedure, gums will feel sore and tender because plaque, tartar, and bacteria underneath the gum line will have been removed. It's also quite common to experience some bleeding and swelling after the cleaning, especially if the gums were inflamed. These are usually temporary symptoms and will begin subsiding within a day or two.

Gum Pocket Reduction

One of the major goals of deep cleaning is to reduce the depth of pockets between the teeth and gums, where bacteria gather. After scaling and root planing, as inflammation subsides and healing takes place, the gums tighten around the teeth, closing the pockets and making it much harder for bacteria to accumulate and cause further damage.

The amount of pocket reduction depends on the severity of the gum disease. In mild cases, improvement happens in a few weeks. In more severe cases, it may require more time and further dental care to get the best results.

Reattachment

Root planing smooths the tooth root surfaces, creating an environment conducive for the reattachment of gums to the teeth. Such reattachment stabilizes the teeth further and helps guard against future invasion by bacteria into the roots.

During healing, the gums may become healthier and firmer as the tissue regenerates. In some cases of gum recession due to the disease, the reversal may not be complete. The overall health of the gums will improve considerably.

Proper Oral Health Maintenance

Good oral hygiene is critical to ensure that the gums heal following a deep cleaning. A gentle brush using a soft-bristled toothbrush, the regular use of floss, and an antibacterial mouth rinse may aid in preventing reinfection with bacteria and sustaining the treatment benefits.

Avoid forceful brushing or flossing as it will further irritate sensitive healing gums. Adherence to detailed aftercare instruction from your dentist will permit the most positive outcome in your healing process.

Long Term Healing

Initial healing may occur within days to weeks, but for most advanced cases of gum disease, full healing and stabilization of the gum tissue takes months. The dentist usually follows up with the patient during this period for normal check-ups to assess healing and make any further modification or amendment of the treatment plan as needed.

Long-term care of health gums includes regular oral care and dental visits on a routine basis. Patients with chronic gum disease may need to repeat deep cleaning periodically in order to prevent the development of further disease and provide long-lasting oral health.

Conclusion

Healing after deep cleaning brings forth the obvious benefits of reduced inflammation of the gums, a reduction in bleeding, and a general improvement in oral health. The gums will then start healing and reattaching themselves to the teeth, often leaving the patient with fresher breath, stronger teeth, and renewed confidence in their smile.

By following professional advice and keeping good oral hygiene, patients can let their gums heal to the best of their ability and keep the results of the deep cleaning for many years to come.

How Long Does a Deep Cleaning Take?