Many people wonder if a deep teeth cleaning will be painful. While some apprehension is common, dental professionals use various methods to ensure the experience is as comfortable as possible. This procedure addresses underlying gum issues, and understanding what it entails can help ease concerns about discomfort.
Understanding Deep Cleanings
A deep teeth cleaning, formally known as scaling and root planing, differs from a routine dental cleaning. Regular cleanings remove plaque and tartar from above the gum line. In contrast, a deep cleaning targets plaque and calculus that has accumulated below the gum line, extending to the tooth roots. This procedure treats gum disease, also known as periodontitis, which occurs when bacteria cause inflammation and gums pull away from teeth, forming pockets.
Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surface, both above and below the gum line, reaching into periodontal pockets. Following scaling, root planing smooths the tooth roots, which helps eliminate bacterial toxins and allows gums to reattach to the root surfaces. This comprehensive approach reduces harmful bacteria, improves oral health, and prevents gum disease progression, which can lead to bone and tooth loss.
Managing Discomfort During the Procedure
To minimize discomfort during a deep cleaning, dental professionals use local anesthesia. This numbing agent is applied to the gums to ensure you feel no pain, though you might still perceive pressure or vibrations. The extent of numbing depends on factors like gum disease severity and individual sensitivity levels.
Local anesthesia involves a small injection after a topical numbing gel is applied, making the injection more tolerable. Only specific areas of the mouth are numbed at a time, often one side per visit. This allows you to remain awake and communicate, and prevents the entire mouth from being numb, which could make eating or drinking difficult immediately after.
For patients with dental anxiety, options like nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, may be available. Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative inhaled through a nosepiece, inducing a relaxed feeling without causing full sedation. It enhances comfort, especially for sensitive teeth or gums, and wears off quickly, allowing you to drive yourself home.
After Your Deep Cleaning
After a deep cleaning, it is common to experience mild soreness or sensitivity in your gums and teeth. This post-procedure discomfort is normal and indicates healing, lasting about 5 to 7 days. Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures might linger for up to two weeks, and slight bleeding or swelling in treated areas for a day or two.
To manage this temporary discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are recommended. Rinsing your mouth several times a day with a warm saltwater solution can help reduce inflammation and promote healing. Consume soft foods for the first few days and avoid anything spicy, acidic, or hard that could irritate healing gums.
Maintaining careful oral hygiene after the procedure is important; use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently around treated areas. Your dental professional may provide specific instructions, such as avoiding eating until numbness wears off to prevent accidental biting. If pain persists beyond a week, or if you experience increasing swelling, fever, or foul-smelling discharge, contact your dentist.