Six months isn’t exactly a blink of an eye, but if you are scheduling a biannual dental checkup and cleaning regularly, you are probably quite familiar with the experience. If it’s been much longer than that, however, you may be rusty on remembering what it’s like.
So, do teeth cleanings hurt at the dentist? Fortunately, you can read on and find out from your dentist in Jefferson on the matter, as well as ways to minimize any potential discomfort.
What Could Cause a Dental Cleaning to Be Uncomfortable?
Dental cleanings shouldn’t be painful, but there can be some factors to increase your sensitivity. For instance, if you have gum inflammation, tooth decay, or another symptom of a dental health problem, you may experience some discomfort during the cleaning process.
If you are feeling pain during your cleaning, this is something you should discuss with your dentist. This way, they will know what steps to take to help you feel more comfortable throughout your visit.
What Preventive Measures Can You Take Before Getting Your Teeth Cleaned?
Here are tips to help reduce sensitivity during your six-month teeth cleanings:
- Use an electric toothbrush: Electric toothbrushes help people to brush more gently because they do a lot of the work for you. If you tend to brush too hard, this could be a beneficial change.
- Brush carefully: Many people use far too much pressure to brush their teeth. When you brush too hard, this can make your teeth more sensitive and damage them. Always use gentle, circular motions for the best-possible cleanings.
- Consistent oral hygiene routine: Brush and floss after meals. The cleaner your mouth is, the easier your cleaning will be.
- Sensitive toothpaste: Pick a toothpaste that is made for people with sensitive teeth. This helps to reduce discomfort, but it may take a few weeks for you to notice the difference.
- Numb the area: If you are experiencing pain, ask the dental team if they can use a topical anesthetic. This helps to numb the area and give you a more comfortable experience.
- Ibuprofen: Ask your dentist if they think you would benefit from taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen. It reduces the inflammatory reaction and helps to put a stop to discomfort.
When you have your teeth cleaned by your hygienist, it shouldn’t be painful. By following the steps listed above and sharing any concerns with your dentist, your visits should be a breeze!
About the Practice
At Dental Group of Jefferson, we feel extra motivated to take excellent care of everyone who enters through our front door because we are the only dentist in town. We also have two dental offices in Chardon, as well as a location in Painesville. This makes scheduling your family’s dental appointments easier than ever. If you need a dental cleaning and exam, we can definitely take care of that for anyone in your family and our cavity prevention treatments are especially helpful for the young ones. Plus, we accept dental insurance. If you have any concerns about discomfort during a dental visit, always discuss them with our staff so we can help in any way possible. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (440) 576-7040.