Dental cleanings often cause anxiety, as many people wonder if the procedure will cause pain. The answer is generally no, but the experience is highly individual and depends significantly on your current oral health. While a routine cleaning should feel like pressure and scraping, discomfort is common if you have underlying issues like gum inflammation or significant buildup. Understanding the difference between cleaning types and why discomfort occurs can help demystify the process.
Routine Cleaning Versus Scaling and Root Planing
The experience of a dental cleaning depends almost entirely on whether you receive a routine cleaning (prophylaxis) or scaling and root planing. A routine cleaning is a preventive measure for patients with generally healthy gums or mild inflammation. During this procedure, the hygienist removes soft plaque and hardened calculus (tartar) primarily from the surfaces of the teeth and above the gum line.
Scaling and root planing is a far more intensive procedure for individuals diagnosed with periodontal disease, involving cleaning below the gum line. This “deep cleaning” targets bacterial deposits and toxins in the pockets between the gum tissue and the tooth root. Because it cleans the root surfaces deeply, this treatment is often performed using a local anesthetic to numb the area, significantly reducing pain.
Why Routine Cleanings Still Cause Discomfort
Even a standard prophylaxis can result in discomfort due to factors related to the health of your gums and teeth. The most common cause is gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease characterized by swollen and tender gum tissue. When inflamed gums are touched or scraped during deposit removal, they can bleed easily and feel sore.
The amount of plaque and calculus buildup also impacts the sensation experienced during the cleaning. If you have significant hardened tartar, the hygienist must apply more force, resulting in stronger sensations of pressure or scraping. Furthermore, if your gums have receded, the underlying dentin of the tooth roots may be exposed. Contact with instruments or the air and water spray can stimulate these exposed areas and cause a sharp, temporary pain.
Strategies for a More Comfortable Appointment
You can take several proactive steps to minimize sensitivity and ensure a more comfortable experience during your dental cleaning. Inform the hygienist or dentist about any sensitive areas, gum recession, or high anxiety levels before the procedure begins. Many dental offices offer options to manage discomfort, such as topical numbing gels applied directly to the gum tissue.
Using a desensitizing toothpaste for one to two weeks before your appointment can help reduce sensitivity by blocking exposed dentin channels. If significant sensitivity is anticipated, a localized anesthetic injection can be used to thoroughly numb a specific section of the mouth. During the cleaning, establish a non-verbal signal, like raising your hand, to alert the hygienist if you need a break or an adjustment.