Tag: Scaling and Root Planing

Healing After Oral Surgery: What To Expect and How To Speed Up Recovery

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Oral and maxillofacial surgery can help correct disease, injury, or defects in the hard and soft tissues. But for proper healing and lasting results, a successful recovery from surgery is essential.

Here, we’re sharing some practical tips for healing after oral surgery—including pain management, diet, and oral hygiene—to help you have a smooth recovery.

What To Expect When Healing From Oral Surgery

Within the first few days after surgery, you can expect to experience some or all of the following:

  • Intermittent bleeding and oozing from the surgical site for up to 24 hours (possibly longer if you are taking blood thinning medication).
  • Pain or discomfort. It’s normal to feel more soreness on day two or three after surgery than on the day of surgery itself. In most cases, pain should reach its peak within 48-72 hours, then gradually begin to improve.
  • Nausea. Pain medications may cause nausea. Taking them with food and sipping on carbonated beverages can help.
  • Swelling at or near the surgical site. This can last for several days—swelling typically peaks around the 48-hour mark, then begins to improve.

If you experience these symptoms within the timeframes listed, please know that this is normal and should improve as you heal. Keep reading for tips to manage these symptoms, as well as  what symptoms to watch for that could indicate a need to contact Eggert Family Dentistry.

Pain Management and Swelling Control

Most oral and maxillofacial surgery will be accompanied by some pain or discomfort. In many cases, some form of pain reliever will be prescribed or recommended during your recovery period.

This could be an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin; or a prescribed stronger pain medication. In either case, make sure to follow the instructions from our office for how much medication to take, and when and how long to take it. Note that it is rare that we would prescribe a narcotic medication, however, if prescribed, this medication will cause impaired judgment and reflexes, so you will need to avoid driving or operating other heavy machinery while you’re taking it.

Swelling is another part of the body’s normal reaction to oral surgery. It should gradually decrease within five days. In the meantime, keeping your head elevated with extra pillows when lying down can help minimize swelling. You can also apply ice packs or cold compresses to your face during the first 48-72 hours (30 minutes on/30 minutes off). After that point, a warm compress (30 minutes on/30 minutes off) can be used until the swelling subsides.

Smart Eating: Post-Surgery Diet Tips

While it may be more difficult to eat after surgery, eating regular nutritious meals will give your body the fuel it needs to recover.

For the first 24 hours, stick to cool or room-temperature liquids and soft foods, such as:

  • Ginger ale, milk, or other cool beverages
  • Milkshakes or Protein shakes
  • Mashed potatoes (cooled)
  • Soup (cooled)
  • Oatmeal (cooled)
  • Yogurt or Jell-O®  (without fruit pieces)
  • Ice cream, sherbet, or frozen yogurt (without fruit, nuts, or other hard or chewy pieces)
  • Apple sauce or other pureed food

This is not an exhaustive list—it’s just meant to give you an idea of what kinds of foods are best. Stick to cool or room temperature beverages and foods until all numbness wears off. In addition, avoid foods that contain nuts, seeds, rice, corn, or chips, as well as those that are hot, spicy, tough, or chewy.

When chewing, chew softly and away from your surgical site. Make sure you’re also drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated. After the first 24 hours, you can gradually begin to add in more solid foods and warmed foods and beverages.

Dental Hygiene While Healing After Oral Surgery

Maintaining good dental care while recovering from oral surgery will help you avoid infection and ensure your surgery site heals properly.

On the day of surgery, you will likely have gauze pads in your mouth to help stop the bleeding. Change these gauze pads regularly until the bleeding stops or slows to a minimum. The day after surgery, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water three or four times per day for a couple of days. You should also start gently brushing your teeth with a manual toothbrush beginning the day after surgery, taking care to avoid the surgery site.

Note: The dental care instructions you receive may vary depending on the type of surgery. Make sure to always follow the instructions given by Dr. Elizabeth Eggert or Dr. Jeff Eggert.

Tips for a Speedy Recovery

While recovery from oral surgery will take time, there are a few simple things you can do to ease pain and swelling, prevent infection, and speed up your recovery time.

  1. Rest. This is one of the most important elements of recovery. Your body is working hard to heal itself, so you need to support it with plenty of rest. Try to take it easy for at least the first 48-72 hours.
  2. Take medication as directed. If we prescribe a pain reliever, antibiotics, or anti-nausea medication, take it as directed, for as long as directed.
  3. Keep your head elevated. For the first day or two, keep your head slightly elevated when you’re lying down to help reduce pain, swelling, and bleeding.
  4. Use cold and warm compresses. For the first 48-72 hours, apply an ice pack or cold compress to your face near the surgical site for about 30 minutes at a time to help bring down swelling. If you develop bruising within the few days after surgery, applying a warm compress can help speed up the healing process.
  5. Avoid heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, and exercising for at least a week after surgery.
  6. Don’t use a straw and don’t spit for a week after surgery, as these actions may disrupt the blood clot in the surgical site and cause bleeding.
  7. Avoid smoking and alcohol for a week after surgery. Smoking restricts blood flow, and alcohol can conflict with your medication. Both will delay healing.
  8. Attend all your follow-up appointments and follow all instructions given to you after your surgery to ensure you heal well and avoid complications.

When To Contact Eggert Family Dentistry

As you heal after your oral surgery, there are a few symptoms you should watch for that could indicate a problem:

  • Persistent pain, swelling, or nausea that lasts longer than your post-op instructions state
  • Pain that radiates to other areas of the jaw, teeth, or ear. This could indicate a dry socket (loss of the blood clot in the surgical site) and needs to be addressed
  • Fever or pus. This could signify an infection
  • Heavy bleeding or bleeding that continues for more than 24 hours
  • Rash, itching, or trouble swallowing or breathing. This could indicate an allergic reaction to your anesthetic or your antibiotics

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact Eggert Family Dentistry right away. Prompt care can prevent any complications and get you back on the road to recovery.

If you have an upcoming oral surgery or questions about recovery, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Eggert Family Dentistry. We’re here to help you heal comfortably—and get back to your best smile!

Scaling and Root Planing:
 A Deeper Clean for Better Health

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

If you visit our office regularly, you’re already educated about the threat of gum disease. We make it a priority to teach our patients how to care for their teeth and prevent its harmful effects. Unfortunately, it can sometimes develop despite our best efforts, and when it does, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert of Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, MN address it directly.

In this article, we’ll provide a concise overview of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, and explain how scaling and root planing can help stop—and in some cases even reverse—its effects before it leads to tooth loss or other systemic health issues.

Understanding Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth, typically starting as gingivitis—the mild, reversible stage marked by red, swollen gums that may bleed easily. Without treatment, it can progress to a more serious form of periodontal disease, often referred to as periodontitis, where the infection damages the bone and connective tissue, leading to gum recession, loose teeth, and often tooth loss.

Gum disease develops when plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—builds up on teeth and hardens into tartar, irritating the gums and causing inflammation. Common signs include bleeding gums, bad breath, swollen or tender gums, receding gums, and shifting teeth. Good oral hygiene at home and regular dental visits are key to preventing and treating gum disease.

What Is Scaling and Root Planing?

Scaling and root planing is a deep-cleaning treatment used to address gum disease. Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from both above and below the gum line, where regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleanings can’t reach. Root planing smooths the surfaces of the tooth roots, making it harder for bacteria to cling and helping the gums heal and reattach to the teeth.

Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert typically recommend this procedure when gum disease has advanced beyond gingivitis and deep pockets have formed between the gums and teeth. Unlike a routine cleaning, which focuses on the visible surfaces of teeth, scaling and root planing targets the deeper areas where infection has taken hold, especially below the gum line, helping to stop disease progression and protect your smile.

The Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing delivers lasting benefits that protect your gums, teeth, and overall oral health. By targeting the bacteria and tartar that contribute to gum disease, this treatment can improve healing, prevent further damage, and support a healthier mouth.

Key benefits include:

  • Halting the progression of gum disease by removing plaque and tartar from deep beneath the gums
  • Reducing inflammation and bleeding, allowing gums to heal and stay healthy
  • Helping prevent tooth loss by stopping the infection that can loosen teeth
  • Supporting bone and gum tissue regeneration, promoting recovery of oral structures
  • Improving breath and overall oral hygiene by eliminating bacteria and plaque buildup

What to Expect from Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is typically done over one or more visits, depending on the extent of the gum disease. During the procedure, the magnificent hygienists at Eggert Family Dentistry will use specialized instruments to carefully remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. Then they will smooth the tooth roots to help the gums reattach. Often both a water treatment, using a Cavitron, and hand instrumentation is used. A local anesthetic is generally used to ensure your comfort throughout the treatment.

After the procedure, proper healing and maintenance are essential. Our patients are encouraged to continue diligent oral hygiene at home—brushing, flossing, and using antimicrobial rinses, as recommended. Follow-up appointments allow our team to monitor your progress and, in some cases, prescribe antibiotics to support healing. At Eggert Family Dentistry, patient comfort and personalized care are a top priority, ensuring each visit is as gentle and effective as possible.

Addressing gum disease early on is one key to protecting your teeth, gums, and overall oral health, and advanced treatments like scaling and root planing can make a significant difference in halting its progression and promoting healing.

During routine recare visits, we can spot potential issues early—before they become serious. If you’re experiencing symptoms of gum disease or want to learn more about how scaling and root planing can support your oral health, give Eggert Family Dentistry a call at 651.482.8412 to set up an appointment!