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Pain in inner cheeks and in between gums
I recently had scaling and Polishing. Before this, i already had RCT of my teeth long back. Now after scaling, on RCT side, I am having pain in between gum and cheek wall. After checking it myself, there is redness in the affected area. It is hurting even after i am drinking water. I have tried dollo and Rexidin-M for last 2 days but there is still no improvement. What should i do?
Answers (9)
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Pain and redness developing after scaling are most commonly due to local gingival ulcer due to instrumentation.The previous RCT is possibility to be the cause unless there is pain on biting, swelling, or tenderness over the tooth.
Next Steps
symptoms persist beyond 5–7 days, worsen, or with swelling, pus discharge, fever, or pain on biting, revisit your dentist
Health Tips
periapical radiograph may be needed to rule out cause
avoid spicy food
use soft bristle toothbrush
use chlorhexidine mouthwash
maintain oral hygiene
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Pain and redness in the cheek/gum area following scaling and polishing may be due to temporary soft tissue irritation, a minor traumatic ulcer, or inflammation caused by instrumentation during the cleaning procedure. It is not uncommon for the area to remain sensitive for a few days after treatment.
Next Steps
Since you have already been using Rexidin-M and are still symptomatic after 2 days, I would recommend:
• Continue maintaining good oral hygiene.
• Avoid spicy, hot, acidic, or hard foods for a few days.
• Use the prescribed mouthwash as directed.
• Rinse with lukewarm saline water 3–4 times daily.
• Stay well hydrated.
Health Tips
If the pain is severe, worsening, associated with swelling, pus discharge, difficulty opening the mouth, or if there is no improvement within 5–7 days, please revisit your treating dentist for a clinical examination. The symptoms may not necessarily be related to the previous RCT and require direct evaluation to determine the exact cause.
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Hello
Better to get an x-ray of that area and get it evaluated
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Hello,
Pain and redness after scaling can occur temporarily, especially in areas where heavy deposits were removed. Based on your description, the discomfort may be due to localized gum inflammation, a minor traumatic ulcer, or irritation of the cheek mucosa.
Since the pain is persisting and causing discomfort even while drinking water, I would recommend a clinical examination to determine the exact cause. The previously treated RCT tooth may also need evaluation to rule out any underlying issue unrelated to the scaling procedure.
Meanwhile:
⢠Rinse with warm salt water 3â4 times daily.
⢠Maintain good oral hygiene.
⢠Avoid spicy, hot, and hard foods.
⢠Avoid repeatedly touching or checking the area with your fingers.
If swelling develops, mouth opening becomes restricted, or symptoms worsen, seek dental care promptly.
Most soft tissue irritations heal within 7â10 days, but persistent symptoms should be evaluated clinically.
Regards,
Dr. Mohit Gautam
BDS, MDS (Endodontist)
Next Steps
consult with your dentist
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Given that the symptoms are adjacent to a previously root-canal-treated tooth and have not improved after 2 days of using Dolo and Rexidin-M gel, my primary clinical consideration is a localized mucosal injury or traumatic ulceration.
During subgingival scaling, the delicate unattached mucosa or the gingival tissue can easily sustain minor mechanical trauma from an ultrasonic scaler tip, hand curettes, or even the high-volume evacuator tip. Alternatively, a localized acute flare-up can occur if heavy calculus deposits were present and a small fragment or polishing debris inadvertently became lodged deeper into the sulcus during instrumentation. While an endodontic flare-up of the old RCT tooth is a remote possibility, her description of localized redness and intense discomfort even when drinking water strongly points toward a superficial, raw mucosal wound. Because Rexidin-M (metronidazole) is primarily an antimicrobial, it lacks the necessary localized analgesic and tissue-coating properties required to soothe an active, open mucosal injury.
Next Steps
I recommend replacing the Rexidin-M gel with a mucoadhesive oral gel containing Choline Salicylate (for immediate, local anti-inflammatory pain relief) combined with Benzalkonium Chloride, or a hyaluronic acid-based gel to protect the raw tissue and accelerate mucosal healing. She should apply this gently to the area 3–4 times daily, ideally 15 minutes before meals also I advise her to start using a 0.12% Chlorhexidine Gluconate mouthwash twice daily to keep the raw area clean and prevent secondary bacterial infection. She should rinse with 10 ml for 1 minute and avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes afterward.
Health Tips
I highly caution her against consuming hot, spicy, highly acidic (like citrus), or heavily salted foods and beverages. These will directly irritate the raw, red tissue, which explains why even room-temperature water is currently causing discomfort. She should stick to a bland, soft, cool, or room-temperature diet until the tissue heals.
And I advise her to use an ultra-soft toothbrush and exercise extreme care when brushing around the affected quadrant.
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This pain occurs due to injury in gums due to
During ultrasonic scaling the tip of the scaler is so hot if the water from the scaler is slow and the frequency of the scaler is very high
This may cause the scaler tip to become very hot and get tissue burn and even pain
Visit your dentist
Please add a clinical picture for better reference
Next Steps
avoid eating any hot and spicy food
Health Tips
If the pain is severe visit you dentist
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Hello Mam . I understand your concern. As per your given history of scaling and polishing and pain around RCtreated tooth. I would like to make this provisional analysis that pain might be due to gum injury. When we do scaling we often clean around the tooth and also below the gums! In case where there is more tartar or calculus deposited we clean a but deeper and as the gums are already inflamed it creates a post scaling pain occasionally.
I hope your dentist has given you proper post scaling medication. Kindly don’t take dolo if the pain is not too much. Instead you can continue using Rexidine M forte. And can add Sensoform Gum Astringent ! Please consult your dentist before starting Gum astringent as you have not attached any picture with it.
Next Steps
Keep oral cavity clean
Health Tips
Avoid pricking with tooth picks or pressing the gums with bare hands
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Hello
There must have been a gap which is why it must be paining
Better to get an xray done
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Could you please attach photographs taken under natural light so to get better clinical picture of your problem…?
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.