If you dread your biannual dental checkups and cleanings because you’re worried about the pain, you’re not alone. Some patients have had uncomfortable experiences and try to avoid their next appointment for as long as possible. However, professional teeth cleanings are essential for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can remove bacteria and plaque that can’t be taken care of by brushing alone. Here’s what to expect at your next teeth cleaning and if it will hurt.
What’s the Truth: Do Teeth Cleanings Hurt?
A popular misconception is that getting your teeth cleaned hurts. Patients see the unfamiliar dental tools and associate the poking and prodding with pain. The truth is, they shouldn’t hurt.
Some patients do experience discomfort during the process, but any pain that occurs is typically a result of other factors rather than the cleaning itself. Some causes of discomfort include gum inflammation, tooth decay, and sensitivity.
It might sound counterintuitive, but the more often you get cleanings, the less likely you are to experience discomfort. Putting off your appointment gives debris ample time to build up above and below your gumline, making your gums more sensitive to touch. And, since you have more plaque and tartar in harder-to-reach places, your dentist will have to spend longer poking around your sensitive gums.
Fortunately, if you take measures to protect your oral health, you shouldn’t have to worry about teeth cleanings hurting.
How to Prevent Discomfort at Your Teeth Cleaning
If it’s been a while since your last dental checkup and cleaning, here are some tips to make your next visit more comfortable:
Professional teeth cleanings don’t have to be an uncomfortable experience. Taking great care of your pearly whites and regularly visiting your dentist ensures your next visit is enjoyable and pain-free!
About the Author
Dr. Marc Moulton has been protecting and enhancing smiles for over 30 years. He recognizes that some patients are concerned about experiencing discomfort at the dentist. For easier and more comfortable patient care, Dr. Moulton offers a topical anesthetic during his professional teeth cleanings. If you want to learn more about how you can prevent discomfort at your next appointment, contact Dr. Moulton through his website or by phone at (205) 988-3360.