Is Deep Teeth Cleaning Painful?
Millions of people every year require a deep teeth cleaning to get their oral health back on track and slow the spread of gum disease. For most people, regular brushing and flossing, combined with regular dental checkups can keep the buildup of plaque and tartar at bay. For some people though, plaque and tartar build to the point of causing damage. In these cases, a deep teeth cleaning is likely to be performed. If you are a candidate for a deep teeth cleaning or think you might need one, read on to learn more about what you can expect and if the procedure is painful.
What is a deep teeth cleaning?
Deep teeth cleanings are a more invasive dental cleaning that is performed to remove the buildup of plaque and tartar from under the gumline. This plaque and tartar are usually not reachable by regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings. Over time, this plaque and tartar can build to problematic levels that can cause gum disease to take hold in the mouth. If plaque and tartar build excessively in the mouth, it can lead to inflammation and ultimately infection. Once this infection takes hold, it is challenging to reverse. Deep cleanings therefore are meant to stop or slow the spread of the gum disease to restore the overall health of a person’s mouth.
A deep teeth cleaning procedure usually takes 1-2 hours, depending on the extent of the cleaning required. A local anesthesia is used during the procedure to minimize discomfort and allow the dentist to get deeper beneath the gums for the cleaning. A deep teeth cleaning involves the use of specialized tools to scrape and remove the plaque and tartar from the teeth, roots, and beneath the gum line.
Is a deep cleaning painful?
Deep teeth cleanings are more invasive than a regular cleaning by a dentist. The goal of a deep teeth cleaning is to get into the areas under the gums that are normally unreachable. This means, that there is some discomfort associated with a deep teeth cleaning. During the procedure, local anesthesia prevents pain and discomfort. After the procedure, however, some discomfort is normal.
Following a deep teeth cleaning, the gums tend to be tender, sore, and sensitive. The discomfort can often be controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers, but in some cases, the dentist may prescribe medication to help manage any discomfort that lingers. The dentist will also recommend after-care guidance to help minimize any discomfort and help the areas of the mouth where the deep cleaning was performed heal. This guidance will likely include using a soft-bristle toothbrush and avoiding certain foods.
What does this mean for me?
Everyone’s pain tolerance is different and therefore the amount of discomfort experienced from a deep cleaning will vary person to person. In general, though, deep cleanings are a manageable procedure that will cause some discomfort once it is over. This discomfort is usually short lived and is worth it for the overall benefit deep cleanings provide to a person’s oral health. If you need a deep cleaning and want to understand more about what you can expect, speak with your dentist today. They will be able to guide you through the process and discuss their philosophy of pain management for after the procedure.