Pain after root planing and scaling

[NellR]

I had root planing and scaling done last week for periodontitis — right half on Thursday, left half on Friday. My mouth definitely feels better than before the cleaning (when it felt almost unbearably awful) but I’m still in significant pain, even with Tylenol, Motrin and salt water rinsing. I keep hoping to wake up feeling much better, but that hasn’t happened. Is it normal to be in significant pain three and four days after a deep cleaning? Any advice? Thank you.

 

[Gordon]

Pain on cold or sweet is pretty normal after S&RP, pain that is keeping you awake or persisting despite pain killers isn't so normal and would be worth a call to your dentist.

 

[NellR]

Thank you for your response! I have sent an email to my dentist but haven’t heard back. The pain in not keeping me awake, but is persistent despite pain killers. My gums were in very bad shape before the cleaning, causing horrible pain. On all of my teeth my dentist used an electric tool twice (I don’t know its name), did manual scraping, and used a laser. My gum pockets were 3s and 4s with some 5s, if that matters. I’m trying to justify the pain being worse than my other deep cleaning because my gums were so much worse to start with. Does that make any sense to you/impact your response? Oh, and there is no sharp pain, just a bad ache all over.

 

[Gordon]

No it really doesn't make sense. You really shouldn't be in this much pain. Has your dentist responded yet?

 

[NellR]

After calling twice I managed to make contact with an actual hygienist (though not with my dentist). He said some pain was normal, and to do salt water rinse three times a day (which I was already doing) and maybe not to floss if gums are too sensitive (but flossing doesn’t make my gums feel any worse, so I’m continuing to floss). I still have pain, though it’s less now than at the start of the week. It’s almost ok in the mornings, and worsens through the day, at which point it’s very painful to eat anything. This makes me think it really is a gum issue and not a bruxism issue, as it seems that bruxism pain would be worse in the morning. Does this seem like a reasonable assumption? My gums don’t appear to be particularly inflamed, and there’s no bleeding when I brush or floss. I’m quite frustrated that my dentist hasn’t responded to the email I sent on Monday, and reminded the hygienist about on Wednesday. Thank you so much for your responses.

 

[Gordon]

This makes me think it really is a gum issue and not a bruxism issue, as it seems that bruxism pain would be worse in the morning. Does this seem like a reasonable assumption?

Yes and no. Some folks don't brux as in grind teeth, but they do clench a lot, especially if they're doing something that requires a bit of concentration (I'm guilty of that BTW). Clenching during the daytime would cause some symptoms too.

 

[NellR]

Your point is well taken, but I’m quite certain I’m not clenching during the day, as my bite is quite off and clenching feels very uncomfortable (I tried it just now). So, I’m back to it being my gums, which I (and my dentist) thought a scaling and planing would take care of. Sitting here frustrated and in pain. My gums are not sore to touch … even pressing on them hard is not painful. Brushing and flossing doesn’t seem to increase pain. No bleeding. Maybe I’m just unusually sensitive to the pain? I’ve been alternating Tylenol and Motrin and doing salt water rinses three times a day. Is there some other issue that comes to your mind as a possible cause of pain? My dentist felt all around my upper neck (glands?) and checked my jaw (for TMJ?) and tongue and found no issues. No cavities. Nonsmoker. Not eating anything like nuts or popcorn or anything hot or spicy. Thank you for your replies.