If you’ve had your teeth professionally cleaned, you may now be experiencing some pain or sensitivity. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to know when this pain is normal, how to manage the discomfort, and when to talk to a dentist.
In this article, we will cover all you need to know about this pain, and how to manage it.
Read on to learn more about:
- Why your teeth may hurt after clean
- How long sensitivity after cleaning can last
- How to manage tooth sensitive after cleaning
- When to see a dentist for help
Let's get into it!
Why Your Teeth Might Hurt After Cleaning?
Pain is almost always unsettling, and can cause us to worry, especially if it occurs after medical procedures. Thankfully, there are many causes for pain after getting your teeth cleaned, most of which should not be cause for concern.
Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning, also called scaling or root planing, involves the removal of hardened plaque, or tartar. This cleaning often happens below the gum line, as bacteria often become trapped here and cause damage to the gums. During this procedure, the dentist will remove the hardened plaque which has built up over the teeth, and underneath the gums.
Although deep cleaning is often the best way of removing harmful plaque, it can irritate the gums, and sensitive areas of the teeth. This irritation is usually temporary, and will ease within a few days, as the gums start to recover.
Receding Gums
Receding gums occur when the portion of gum lining the teeth starts to pull back, away from the tooth. This can happen as a result of various gum diseases, which are often triggered by poor dental hygiene.
Because our gums are responsible for protecting the base part of our teeth, where the enamel is thinner, our teeth become very sensitive to pain when the gums start to pull away from our teeth, exposing the various nerves.
If you get your teeth professionally cleaned, or even if you clean them yourself, and you suffer from receding gums, it is likely that you will experience some pain, because of the irritation caused.
Pre-existing Sensitivity
If you are someone who cringes when you bite into an ice cream, or have some painful parts of your teeth that hurt to touch, it is likely that you suffer from tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the enamel starts to wear away, exposing the underlying layer of tooth which contains many nerves.
If you already suffer from dental sensitivity, professional cleaning may temporarily worsen this condition. Because cleaning involves removal of plaque the cleaning motion can also irritate areas where the enamel has worn away, making your teeth more sensitive for a period after.
Even so, it is still important to get your teeth cleaned if you suffer from sensitivity, as plaque buildup can quickly lead to cavities if not tackled properly, worsening any underlying sensitivity.
Aggressive Brushing
Professional cleaning is often important, and offers a more rigorous way of cleaning your teeth than can be achieved at home.
However, because it is more thorough, it can also cause some sensitivity afterward if your tooth brushing habits are more rough than they should be. If you are someone who brushes quite aggressively, or uses a hard bristles toothbrush, you will likely make this sensitivity worse, and experience some level of pain.
How Long Does This Sensitivity Last?
Pain or discomfort after cleaning usually eases in a few days, to a week. This allows any irritation of your gums, and teeth to ease.
Although most pain and discomfort are only temporary and not a cause for concern, persistent or severe pain should be reported to a dentist. We’ll later discuss when it's time to see a dentist, but if you have been experiencing dental pain for more than a week, it is necessary to see a dentist.
It is also important to keep up your dental hygiene during this time, even if it does feel uncomfortable. This will avoid any plaque build up, which can further damage your teeth, and requires more cleaning.
Managing Teeth Sensitivity After Cleaning
For most people, tooth sensitivity after cleaning will quickly subside. However, until the pain does leave, there are some practical steps you can take to speed up this process, and experience instant relief.
Sensitive Toothpaste
Toothpaste formulated to help reduce sensitivity is a great tool to use when you are experiencing pain and discomfort after professional cleaning.
Toothpaste such as our n-Ha containing toothpaste helps to reduce sensitivity, by filling in tiny gaps in our teeth which expose sensitive nerves. Our toothpaste also helps to remineralize teeth which can often be worn away by professional cleaning.
Keeping up with your oral hygiene, including brushing with antibacterial toothpaste, is important even if your teeth are sensitive. In fact, it is important because your teeth are sensitive. Proper oral hygiene will protect your teeth and gums from bacterial damage and further irritation.
Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
Many people, with or without dental sensitivity and pain, make the mistake of using hard bristles toothbrushes. Whilst these toothbrushes can be satisfying to use, they often damage your gums, and wear away at your enamel, contributing to dental sensitivity.
It is important to use a soft, or medium soft toothbrush, regardless whether you experience dental pain after cleaning, or not. These toothbrushes help to clean your teeth, without damaging the enamel, which is responsible for protecting the underlying layer of the tooth, preventing pain and sensitivity.
Not only is the toothbrush you use important to consider If you experience pain after cleaning, but the way you clean your teeth is also important.
If you feel pain after cleaning, it is important that you brush your teeth gently. Instead of using harsh motions, use gentle, circular movements. This may take a minute longer, but will contribute greatly to the relief you feel afterward.
Pain Relievers
If you are experiencing pain in the first few days after dental cleaning, then using over-the-counter pain relief can help provide some temporary relief.
However, if these painkillers are not strong enough to provide relief, then it may be time to see a dentist who will check to make sure your teeth are still healthy. They can also prescribe stronger medication if you need it.
Saltwater Rinse
Saltwater rinses are a great, natural way to ease some of the pain and inflammation in your teeth and gums, especially after meals.
You can dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of lukewarm water, and swirl a small amount in your mouth, before spitting it out. Saltwater helps to soothe inflammation, has a slight antibacterial effect, and can help balance out our mouth’s pH after having a meal.
When to Talk to Your Dentist
Whilst experiencing some form of pain or sensitivity is normal after getting your teeth cleaned, is it important to know when what you are experiencing is abnormal, and when to seek professional advice.
Persistent Sensitivity
If you feel intense sensitivity, or long-lasting sensitivity, then it is time to see a dentist.
The duration of tooth pain or sensitivity should not be longer than a few days. It should also slowly get better, not worse. If your teeth continue to be sensitive and painful after a few days, and is not easing, then it may be time to get a second opinion.
If you are experiencing severe pain or sensitivity, then it is a clear sign that you should see a dentist, no matter how long the pain lasts. If the pain wakes you from sleep, stops you eating, or is not eased by over-the-counter pain medication, it may be a sign of a condition that needs medical attention.
Bleeding Gums
If your gums bleed days after your cleaning appointment, it may be a sign of gingivitis, or early gum disease. Whilst this should be picked up by the dentist, it may have been missed, or triggered by the cleaning.
If your gums continue to bleed, it is important to make an appointment with the dentist. Gum disease can be serious, and result in tooth loss, if left untreated.
Loose Teeth
If you are experiencing pain, together with loose teeth, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention. Loose teeth may be a symptom of advanced gum disease, which often results in tooth loss.
This condition requires immediate dental intervention, in order to stabilize your teeth and avoid tooth loss.
Signs Of Infection
If you are experiencing pain after dental cleaning, and have symptoms of infection, then you should immediately make an appointment with a dentist.
There are many signs of infection, such as:
- Bad breath, that persists even after brushing teeth
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Red, swollen gums
- Fevers and chills
- Headaches
There are many different kinds of infections that occur in the mouth, whether they occur within the tooth or in the gums. If you suspect you have an infection, it is important to get it checked, as a dentist can prescribe the right antibiotics to you, if you need them.
Properly Caring For Your Smile
The best way to avoid frequent trips to the dentist's office, and further dental sensitivity, is to properly care for your dental health.
Doing so involves investment in your oral hygiene.
Here are some tips for looking after your teeth:
- Floss every day: It is important to brush every day, and to floss your teeth before you brush. Brushing your teeth after flossing helps to remove the plaque you’ve got out of between your teeth whilst flossing.
- Brush twice a day: Brushing twice a day, morning and night, is important to avoid cavities, gum disease, and protect the look of your teeth. There are a few things to consider when brushing your teeth twice daily: do not brush right after eating acidic foods, or throwing up, as this can damage your enamel, use good protective toothpaste, and brush for 2 minutes.
- Regularly replace your toothbrush: Old, worn-out toothbrushes are not as good at cleaning your teeth compared to new ones. In general, the CDC recommends to “Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or sooner if the bristles look worn out”
- Avoid sugary foods: To protect your teeth from sensitivity, it is important to avoid sugary foods and drinks. Bacteria in your mouth are able to consume these produce acids that can erode tooth enamel, resulting in cavities and dental sensitivity.
- Invest in good toothpaste: Not all toothpaste is made the same, toothpaste like Boka’s n-Ha toothpaste helps to remineralize teeth and will help to protect your teeth’s enamel, which will stop your teeth becoming sensitive again in the future.
- Chew sugar-free gum: Chewing sugar-free gum can actually support your dental health. Doing so helps to stimulate saliva flow, which protects our teeth thanks to its ability to balance our mouth’s pH and its antibacterial actions.
- Visit the dentist regularly: Making sure you see your dentist once to twice a year is important to avoid dental conditions that can be avoided, or managed when picked up early enough. This will save you from expensive, and uncomfortable dental procedures down the line.
Dr Anjum Chaudhary, BDS, MDS, stated, “Deep cleanings and routine teeth cleanings are simple, effective strategies to keep your mouth healthy and stave off cavities. Don't worry if your teeth feel sensitive after a cleaning. It's common and temporary, and you'll have a healthy smile in no time. It's crucial to keep in mind that the brief sensitivity shouldn't stop you from enjoying the overall advantages of dental cleanings, including the prevention of gum disease and the removal of tartar.”
Conclusion
It is normal to experience some temporary dental sensitivity after professional cleaning.
If you do experience tooth pain after cleaning, it is important to keep up with your dental hygiene, and use tooth sensitivity toothpaste, and clean your teeth using a soft toothbrush. Generally speaking, this sensitivity you feel will likely resolve within a few days.
If it does not, or you experience severe pain, with or without other symptoms which are making you worried, it is important to seek dental attention promptly. A dentist will be able to give you advice on how to proceed.
It is also important to know that the best thing you can do for your dental health is to keep up with good hygiene practices. This will help protect your teeth from sensitivity, and other dental conditions that can impact your everyday life.