Post-Op Instructions
After Gum Infection Therapy
Your gum tissue is in the early stages of healing from active infection. Over the next few weeks the gums will tighten back against your teeth and the inflammation will calm down.
Learn more about periodontal care at MDRN Dental Studio →
1 Numbness — The First Few Hours
If the area was numbed for treatment, the numbness usually wears off in 2–4 hours.
Be careful not to bite your cheek, tongue, or lip until feeling returns.
2 Sensitivity — What to Expect
Your teeth may feel sensitive to cold or sweets for the first few weeks. This happens because the root surfaces near the gum line are now exposed as the inflamed tissue recedes.
Sensitivity toothpaste (like Sensodyne) used twice a day can help. Most patients feel back to normal within a month.
Some mild bleeding during brushing for the first few days is normal as the inflamed tissue heals.
3 Your Prescription Mouth Rinse
Use the prescription mouth rinse exactly as directed — typically twice a day. Swish for the full 30 seconds, then spit. Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after.
Some patients notice temporary tooth staining from the rinse. This brushes off easily at your maintenance visit.
Finish the full course of the rinse as prescribed.
4 Eating and Drinking
Avoid very hot, very spicy, or crunchy foods for the first 24–48 hours while the gums are most tender. Otherwise eat normally.
Drinking plenty of water helps support healing.
5 Brushing and Flossing
Continue to brush twice a day and floss daily, even if the gums feel tender. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle pressure.
Flossing is essential for keeping bacteria out of the gum pockets while they heal.
We will go over additional cleaning tools (interdental brushes, water flosser) if appropriate for your case.
6 Long-Term Maintenance
Your gum infection maintenance visits every 3–4 months are essential. Skipping them lets the infection come back, even if your gums feel fine.
Most patients stay on this maintenance schedule for life to protect their progress.
Any bleeding when brushing or flossing is not normal once healing is complete — it is a sign of active infection. Call us if it returns after the initial healing period.
When to Call Us
Contact Us If You Experience Any of the Following
- Severe pain that does not improve with over-the-counter medication
- Bleeding that does not slow over the first 24 hours
- A fever
- Swelling around the gums or in your face
- Pus or a bad taste in your mouth
- Any reaction to the prescription mouth rinse, including rash, hives, or burning
Due for Your Maintenance Visit?
Book Your Periodontal Maintenance
Regular 3–4 month maintenance visits are what keep gum disease from coming back. Book your next visit at MDRN Dental Studio in McKinney, TX.
6451 W University Dr, Ste 300 · McKinney, TX 75071