Is Deep Teeth Cleaning Painful?
If your dentist has diagnosed you with periodontal disease and referred you to a periodontist for treatment, the periodontist will probably recommend a dental deep cleaning treatment. Also known as scaling and root planing, deep teeth cleaning is a routine procedure that removes plaque and tartar from the entire tooth, including the tooth roots, allowing the gums to return to their normal snug, protective position around the teeth. Sometimes, only a few teeth need to be cleaned so thoroughly, while in other cases, the entire oral cavity would benefit from a deep teeth cleaning. If your dentist has recommended deep teeth cleaning for you, you may have questions about what to expect with the procedure. Of course, each person is different, but a general idea of what to expect can be helpful as you prepare for your periodontal treatment.
How Can the Dentist Tell I Need a Deep Cleaning?
Dentists use a few different methods to evaluate the health of the teeth and gums and determine whether periodontal disease is present. These methods include:
- Careful observation and evaluation in clinical exams
- Measuring the depths of periodontal pockets with a periodontal probe
- X-rays, to determine whether bone loss has occurred and assess its extent
During the clinical examination, the dentist looks for inflammation or bleeding from the gums and assesses the stability of the teeth; when the teeth are mobile, this can be a sign of significant bone loss. Using a special tool called a periodontal probe, the dentist will also measure the pockets between the gum line and the teeth. Any areas where this pocket is deeper than 3 millimeters could point to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can also be indicated in dental x-rays, determined by the angle and extent of bone loss.
Will My Dental Deep Clean Hurt?
The chronic inflammation of periodontal disease can cause painful, bleeding gums, bone loss, and, eventually, the loss of teeth. Compared to these long-lasting, damaging effects, a dental deep clean is a worthwhile investment into the long-term health and maintenance of the oral cavity and the teeth. Using specialized handheld and ultrasonic instruments, the dentist scrapes away built-up plaque and tartar from below the gum line and resurfaces the tooth roots to discourage recurring bacterial growth. Because dental deep cleans are so thorough, treating the roots of the teeth, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area before beginning the procedure. Thanks to this anesthetic, you may sense pressure or feel the vibration of ultrasonic instruments during the procedure, but you shouldn’t expect to feel any pain. Following a deep teeth cleaning, you might feel some sensitivity in your teeth, and your gums may feel sore or tender, though this mild discomfort should only last a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter medications. You should make sure to closely follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions, including completing and cycles of prescription medication, to ensure complete, comfortable healing and a healthy outlook for the future. Once your gums have healed, you can expect healthier looking gums that don’t bleed when brushing or flossing, less pain and sensitivity in the gums and teeth, better smelling breath, and more stable-feeling teeth. A few days of discomfort shouldn’t deter you from the long-lasting benefits of deep teeth cleaning!