Dentist Questions Dental Cleaning

Swollen and localised pain after done a deep cleaning; is this normal?

Last wed I went for my appointment for the cleaning of teeth but ended up doing the deep cleaning involving scaling due to examination of my gums and suggested to start this treatment as soon as possible since my gingivitis has progressed. I started the treatment with my lower jaw first and after it was OK. Now after the fourth day I started feeling pain in my gums and the gums in front my front teeth so swollen and inflamed and they hurt... shall I continue brushing my teeth? Is this normal?

Female | 35 years old
Complaint duration: 5 days
Conditions: Disease in gums

14 Answers

Everybody heals differently. After scaling your body is fighting off an infection that was already present. As the body brings in cells to combat the infection swelling may be a secondary result of this. Soreness with this is common as well. I would recommend brushing and flossing as normal to prevent need for future deep cleaning. This should subside over a week or so.
Some people are sore after a deep cleaning depending on how extensive the deep cleaning was. I would recommend taking ibuprofen (if you are not allergic and are able to) a day or two after for the discomfort. Continue to brush and floss even thought you are sore. Rinse with mouth wash also!
Tell you dentist. Sometimes if pockets are 6 mm., giving antibiotic concomitantly with therapy is a good idea for making an easier transition to health. Are you flossing daily and were you shown how to perform effective hygiene? This is critical to success and the responsibility of the dr. or hygienist to explain to you, and you to perform daily.
Normally a deep cleaning should not result in swelling and pain. However, not to say it can’t happen! After a deep cleaning the tissue have been scarped along with the teeth to remove any affected root structure and infected tissue. The response can result in inflammation, and like any wound the onset of healing will result in inflammation and pain, however this should not last for too long. Do visit your dentist and discuss your concerns and symptoms with him.
When you have deep cleaning, ithe gum which was inflamed will recede and get firmer and healthier. But due to the recession you may develop some cold sensitivity that may need to be addressed if it does not improve with time.
After any deep cleaning it is imperative to maintain proper home care. In addition it is usually beneficial to rinse with salt and water, Listerine, and or chlorhexidine which you can get from your dentist. In most cases your symptoms should temper quickly with this home care. If not call your dentist.
You receive a deep cleaning because you have developed some nasty germs below the gumline. It is impossible for a hygienist to scrape these deposits off the roots without poking some into the gums. The swelling is your immune system fighting the germs in these deposits. The outcome depends on which is stronger, your immune system or the germ.
Yes, keep brushing and flossing. Contact the office you visited, let the doctor know you are having problems. This indicates periodontitis and you may need antibiotics or oral meds.
A little swelling and discomfort after a deep cleaning is normal. You should definitely continue to brush, floss, and use an oral irrigator at least twice daily.
You should continue brushing and flossing, but I recommend that you make a follow up appointment to see your dentist to re-evaluate the area. Swelling is not typical after scaling and root planing.
If you had root planing done (deep cleaning), it is possible that you may have some swelling and irritation after the procedure. The root planing removes the infectious material from the periodontal pocket. In addition, it removes necrotic material from the root surface. The new dentin surface may be sensitive for a day or so until the cleaned surfaces seal.

The swollen gums will resolve as well. I recommend that you rinse your mouth with hot salt water. Take one tea spoon of salt in an 8 oz glass of water, as hot as you can stand it and rinse your mouth by swishing it around. The salt water pull the excess fluid out of the gum tissue and the swelling will go down. Repeat this process three to four times a day if you can for a day or so.

If you are uncomfortable, over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil should help.
Actually the Crux of the problem depends on what the radiographs showed to be the actual amount in millimeters of bone loss and the degree of inflammation your gums exhibited prior to recommending the procedures that have been done. It is very possible that all that was not accomplished was proper instruction on how to take care of the result once the dentist finished with this deep scaling that you described. The proper procedure for comparison would have been more time spent on what to expect and to use a soft brush and gentle cleaning motion the first few days to get you through the discomfort, possibly an oral mouth rinse diluted, and possibly even Ginger pack should have been used to help control the swelling and introduce medication to do the same in conjunction with the trauma of having an accumulation of bacterial plaque and calculus removed from the roots of the teeth in such a sensitive area as the front of the mouth. It is possible that you are overdoing the pressure during brushing or over rinsing with astringent and this would be an irritant as well. Soft brush gentle cleaning more often then hard brushing and vigorous rinsing full strength is not recommended. Dilute mouthwash for the first week or so and then gradually increase the strength. Easy does it would be the idea. You should see dramatic Improvement inside of two weeks and be back to normal after 3 by then it'll be time to visit the dentist again as if one area has this problem generally it is in all quadrants of the mouth. Then keep routine 6-month checkup with your dentist to avoid this problem reappearing.
Your situation does not sound "completely normal". I would see your dentist again in order to see why you are having this delayed pain. There are various possibilities, but a visual examination is necessary in order to properly diagnose what your problem stems from.
You may benefit from the dentist giving you a chlorhexidine prescription. This is an antibacterial rinse used twice daily for up to 2 weeks to help inflamed gums