I’m seeing many patients feel tender for 24–48 hours after scaling and root planing, and I coach them to use a soft brush, lukewarm saltwater, and 0.12% chlorhexidine twice daily if prescribed — does that match what’s helped you or your patients? I want them comfortable and healing well, and I’m curious if starting a water flosser on the lowest setting for the first week reduces bleeding without irritating the gums.
Cold compress 10-minute intervals day one eases that ‘24–48 hours’; water flosser day 3, lowest setting — thoughts?
I’ve seen fewer “zing” complaints when patients start a potassium‑nitrate desensitizing toothpaste the day of SRP; with CHX I ask them to wait 30 minutes after brushing so they don’t rinse off fluoride and keep it to 1–2 weeks to avoid staining. If you’re testing a water flosser, keep the tip parallel to the tooth — gentle rain, not a pressure washer — have you noticed less bleeding with that angle, @amathews45?