When it’s been a while since you last saw your dentist, the thought of a dental checkup can seem scary. Many patients wonder whether teeth cleanings hurt in such situations. Still, there’s no major reason to worry; your next appointment will probably be comfy. Your Fort Worth dental practice is here with some helpful tips and tricks to ensure that much. With that said, here’s a primer on teeth cleanings, whether they hurt or not, and how to avoid aches from them.
What’s Involved in a Teeth Cleaning?
Whatever gossip you’ve heard, a professional teeth cleaning isn’t an obscure thing. It’s just a more advanced version of the oral care you do at home.
A hygienist typically does a teeth cleaning after checking your smile. To start, they use instruments to scrape and chip away at your smile’s built-up plaque. The hygienist then polishes your enamel with a special instrument, ensuring this tooth layer is strong and bright. They then conclude by using dental floss (or a similar tool) to remove your mouth’s remaining debris.
A brief Q&A session follows most teeth cleanings. Through it, you can ask questions and get advice about your oral hygiene habits.
Does a Teeth Cleaning Hurt?
A teeth cleaning usually doesn’t hurt at all. Still, your own could involve aches and pains if you haven’t looked after your smile well.
When you neglect your teeth often, a professional cleaning can become invasive. That’s only natural – the hygienist has to work harder to remove the layers of plaque and tartar. Such invasive sessions can irritate sensitive teeth and gums, leading to pain, bleeding, swelling, and other complications. These effects stem from your body’s immune system overreacting to outside stimuli.
Of course, dentists will do everything possible to make your cleaning as painless as possible. They won’t apply unnecessary force, and they’ll try not to upset your gums.
How to Avoid Aches from Teeth Cleaning
Given the points above, you can do several things to avoid aches from teeth cleaning. These include:
- Clean Your Smile at Home – By brushing twice daily and flossing once daily, you can make your next cleaning less invasive.
- Take Pain Medicine – Try taking over-the-counter pain medicine before your cleaning. That way, your dental visit should go more smoothly.
- Consider Anesthesia – If it’s available, you can ask your dentist for numbing anesthesia before the cleaning starts.
- Get a Good Hygienist – While you don’t want a hygienist to clean your smile half-heartedly, you also don’t want them to be rough.
Teeth cleanings only hurt when you neglect your oral health. So, use the tips above and consult your dental provider to ensure they’re pain-free!
About the Practice
Summer Creek Dentistry is based in Fort Worth, TX. Led by Dr. Jasmine King, our practice aims to be your family-friendly provider of comprehensive dental care. We proudly offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, all tailored to your smile’s unique needs. You can always trust our team to provide the help your grin deserves. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (817)-292-7488.