Is Deep Teeth Cleaning Painful?
Deep teeth cleaning, also called a scaling and root planing, is a nonsurgical procedure used to treat gum disease. Gum disease develops when sticky plaque and bacteria are not regularly removed but are allowed to accumulate within the gum pockets. Over a short period of time, as little as one day, plaque left behind will calcify into tartar which can only be removed by a dental hygienist using special tools.
Left untreated, periodontal disease can be uncomfortable for the patient and lead to more severe issues such as gum recession, tooth sensitivity, and even bone and tooth loss.
Does deep teeth cleaning hurt?
Deep cleaning typically is performed over the span of two appointments, scheduled as closely together as possible, because the gum tissue is anesthetized before treatment, and no one wants your entire mouth numb all at once. Therefore, half of the mouth is done at a time, split between the right side and left side.
Since a local anesthetic is administered, deep teeth cleaning is not painful. Most patients do experience some tenderness in their gum tissue as well as tooth sensitivity once the anesthetic wears off, but this should subside on its own within a couple of days.
What is the process for deep teeth cleaning?
On each side of each tooth, there is a little pocket where the gum tissue and tooth surface come together. In healthy patients, the depth of these pockets measures between zero and 3 millimeters. When plaque and bacteria accumulate and form hardened tartar, the pockets will become deeper as the gum tissue pulls away from the tooth surface. Those with measurements over 5 millimeters may be advised to have a deep cleaning.
If your dentist has determined that a deep cleaning is the right treatment for you, they will schedule you for a couple of appointments to get you cared for. Each appointment will begin with a local anesthetic administered to the areas being treated. Your doctor or hygienist will then proceed to clean out each pocket and root surface to eliminate infection, tartar, and bacteria. It is normal to experience some tenderness and sensitivity for a few days following treatment. Take care when brushing and flossing at home.
4 to 6 weeks after treatment is complete, your doctor will want to see you for a follow up and possibly a fine scaling to make sure everything is clean and healthy. They will also re-measure your gum pockets to see how things are healing. If your gums do not show much improvement, you may be referred to a periodontist for specialized treatment. You may also be advised to add an extra cleaning or two to your regular twice-a-year routine. Patients with a history of periodontal issues can greatly benefit from a more frequent cleaning schedule to keep everything healthy.
Untreated periodontal disease can be more painful than a deep cleaning and can cause so many problems down the road. If you have symptoms of gingivitis (early gum disease) such as bleeding when you floss, tooth sensitivity, or swollen gum tissue, it is important to bring it to the attention of your dentist so that they can provide treatment as soon as possible.