You may hesitate to get a checkup if you’ve never seen a dentist. In that situation, it’s easy to assume that teeth cleanings hurt. Fortunately, the truth is a relief: dentists strive to make their cleansing work painless. You can also take steps to make the process comfier. In fact, your Sinton dental provider can explain if you’d like to learn more. Here’s a primer on why teeth cleanings shouldn’t hurt, how to make them smoother, and why to attend them at all.
Do Teeth Cleanings Generally Hurt?
Truthfully, a good teeth cleaning shouldn’t cause you pain. It’ll ideally just leave you with a cleaner and brighter smile. In that case, the appointment would have nothing but upsides!
Still, there are exceptions. Cleaning can cause some discomfort if you suffer from inflamed gums, tooth decay, and similar oral issues. Such conditions lead to bacteria and plaque buildup, which could make your mouth tissues sensitive. Consequently, cleanings can get more painful when you postpone them longer. This action lets debris build on your smile, giving your dentist more invasive work to do.
Can You Make Teeth Cleanings Comfier?
Fortunately, you can make teeth cleaning comfier ahead of time. All you have to do is follow some good oral habits. These include:
- Take Pain Relievers – To compensate for pain during cleaning, take an over-the-counter pain reliever before and after the checkup.
- Get Numbed – If the option is available, ask your dental hygienist to numb your mouth for cleaning. (Many practices can apply topical anesthetic with a Q-tip onto the treatment site.)
- Prevent Gum Recession – Between now and your next cleaning, keep your gums from receding as best you can. Gum recession makes teeth sensitive to various forces.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene – If you don’t already, brush your teeth twice daily and floss between them once daily. Also, rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash as needed. These actions will make your mouth stronger and less sensitive to teeth cleanings.
Why Should You Attend Teeth Cleanings?
Yes, the rare teeth cleaning may hurt if you aren’t careful; that is true. However, the effects that come from skipping one are even worse.
You see, you need cleanings to prevent plaque buildup. Should the latter accumulate too much, you can suffer from various oral problems – tooth decay, gum disease, etc. These can lead to worse pain than a cleaning ever could. Plus, they’ll result in long-lasting consequences like tooth loss.
Ultimately, teeth cleanings won’t hurt if you care for your teeth well. That being the case, use the tips above so your next checkup doesn’t involve discomfort.
About the Practice
Garza & Associates is based in Sinton, TX. Led by Dr. Anthony C. Garza, our practice prides itself on family-owned and patient-centered dentistry. To that end, we offer the very best preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dental care. Our team can thus handle everything from dental checkups to advanced dental implant work! For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (361)-364-4410.