Your scheduled dental cleaning shouldn't normally cause you pain. However, there may be factors that complicate it. Gum inflammation, tooth decay, and other symptoms of oral disease can cause increased sensitivity. If you see a professional regularly to clean your teeth and you don't have oral problems, your visit probably won't hurt.
If you've skipped some cleanings, you'll probably feel some discomfort even when you brush your teeth at home. So yes, in this case, cleaning can be painful. Perhaps one of the most important strategies for minimizing pain during dental cleanings is to choose your hygienist carefully. If you're worried that dental cleaning hurts, be sure to express your concerns to your care providers, as there are ways to make potentially painful dental cleanings less painful.
During the initial exam, your dentist or hygienist will take measurements of the gum pockets (the space under the gums where floss slips during flossing). For example, gum inflammation, tooth decay and other symptoms of oral disease can cause increased sensitivity, which causes great discomfort during the cleaning process. Even without experiencing any symptoms of gum disease, if it's been six months or more since your last visit to the dentist, it's crucial to get a dental checkup and cleaning. Your dental hygienist can go deep between your teeth and locate any potential problem spots where your gums may bleed.
Whether you need additional measures or not, the key is to keep going to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned regularly to avoid problems completely. Once dental cleanings are part of your regular routine, you may no longer need to freeze them. You'll still need to have your teeth checked and cleaned by a professional, even if your at-home routine is great. The good news is that dental cleanings don't have to hurt and that much of the deciding factor between whether or not they do it is in your hands.
Read on to find out what happens during a dental cleaning, how likely you are to experience pain, and how to prevent pain when you clean your teeth. Gingivitis, the earliest stage of periodontal disease, is a chronic state of gum inflammation that causes the sensitivity and sensitivity that patients associate with dental cleanings. That said, if you haven't had your teeth cleaned in years, don't use it as an excuse to keep delaying your dental care. If you notice pain, heavy bleeding, or a heavy buildup of tartar, you'll be given the option of completing your first cleaning with local anesthesia or a dental freeze to numb your gums.
Talk if you are an exceptionally nervous patient or have dental anxiety or sensitive teeth so that your hygienist is aware of your problems. The best way to avoid painful dental cleanings is to keep up with your dental care, both at home and through professional cleanings.