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DENTAL & ORAL HEALTHThe 48 hours after scaling1Bigger gaps = the space tartar and swollen gumswere filling2Sensitivity usually fades in 1–2 weeks; use asensitivity toothpaste3Brush as normal the same day — soft brush, goeasy on sore spots4Skip coffee, tea, red wine and other dark foodsfor 24 hours5Light oozing for 1–2 days is normal; bleedingbeyond 24 h — call the dentist6Healthy gums don’t need a fixed 6-monthlyclean; periodontitis needs 3–6-monthlymaintenanceOn dialysis: book the day after dialysis, once heparin hascleared. Anticoagulants are not usually stopped for routinescaling.BBeyond CKDbeyondckd.com/en/cards/after-scaling-48-hoursSources: Lamont T et al. Routine scale and polish · Sanz M et al. EFP S3…Compiled from public clinical guidelines · General education, not individual medical advice
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Dental & oral health

The 48 hours after scaling

Bigger gaps and sensitive teeth after a clean? That’s not damage. Here’s what to do.

  1. 1Bigger gaps = the space tartar and swollen gums were filling
  2. 2Sensitivity usually fades in 1–2 weeks; use a sensitivity toothpaste
  3. 3Brush as normal the same day — soft brush, go easy on sore spots
  4. 4Skip coffee, tea, red wine and other dark foods for 24 hours
  5. 5Light oozing for 1–2 days is normal; bleeding beyond 24 h — call the dentist
  6. 6Healthy gums don’t need a fixed 6-monthly clean; periodontitis needs 3–6-monthly maintenance

On dialysis: book the day after dialysis, once heparin has cleared. Anticoagulants are not usually stopped for routine scaling.

Caption (ready to paste)

Bigger gaps and sensitive teeth after a clean? That’s not damage. Here’s what to do.

1. Bigger gaps = the space tartar and swollen gums were filling
2. Sensitivity usually fades in 1–2 weeks; use a sensitivity toothpaste
3. Brush as normal the same day — soft brush, go easy on sore spots
4. Skip coffee, tea, red wine and other dark foods for 24 hours
5. Light oozing for 1–2 days is normal; bleeding beyond 24 h — call the dentist
6. Healthy gums don’t need a fixed 6-monthly clean; periodontitis needs 3–6-monthly maintenance

On dialysis: book the day after dialysis, once heparin has cleared. Anticoagulants are not usually stopped for routine scaling.

Sources: Lamont T et al. Routine scale and polish — Cochrane 2018; Sanz M et al. EFP S3 guideline, periodontitis stage I–III — J Clin Periodontol 2020; Lodi G et al. Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions — Cochrane 2021
Verified: 2026-10-18

Cards and scripts are general health education compiled from public clinical guidelines. They are not individual medical advice and do not replace assessment by your doctor, pharmacist or dietitian. Please keep the sources and this notice when sharing; this page holds the latest version.
https://beyondckd.com/en/cards/after-scaling-48-hours
60-second short-video script

Shot list and voice-over. Vertical 9:16; put captions in the lower third. Every line maps to the sources on the left.

secScreenVoice-over
0–5Scaler tip close-upDoes scaling damage your teeth?
5–20Tartar flaking offIt removes tartar, not enamel. Bigger gaps are just what was underneath.
20–4048-hour checklistBrush normally today, skip dark drinks for a day, sensitivity settles in a week or two.
40–60Calendar: 3–6 monthsCochrane: healthy adults don’t need a fixed six-monthly clean. With periodontitis, maintenance visits are what matter.

Sources (every point on the card maps to one)

Verified: 2026-10-18