Is Deep Teeth Cleaning Painful?
Professional teeth cleaning, also known as professional scaling, is a therapeutic procedure aimed at completely eliminating the most stubborn deposits of tartar and plaque on the teeth. This practice is performed only by people who are experts in the field, namely specialized hygienists.
This treatment is especially important in order to keep your teeth clean and completely healthy, so as to prevent cavities or other dental diseases, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and other conditions. Failure to clean your teeth can also cause damage to your gums.
Deep teeth cleaning is done regardless of the quality of daily oral hygiene: in fact, even constant and careful brushing of the teeth does not completely eliminate the presence of tartar or plaque.
Daily and home cleaning is limited to removing food residues and bacteria that remain stuck between the teeth or stick to the tooth enamel: for this reason, it is not at all sufficient to guarantee adequate and effective cleaning. Stubborn plaque and tartar usually tend to hide in spaces that the toothbrush has trouble reaching or under the gums, so places that are not easily visible.
What are plaque and tartar?
Teeth cleaning removes plaque, also known as a sticky aggregate of decaying cells and food debris, as well as bacteria. This element resembles a film that can stick to the enamel of the teeth, but the professional cleaning procedure provided by the dental office can remove it. Normally, most of the plaque is removed by using a toothbrush correctly, but some areas are difficult to reach and it is possible that some residues are present.
These residues, if not removed in the long run, can mineralize and then transform into tartar. While classic oral hygiene tools can be used to remove plaque, tartar, as it is mineralized, can only be removed by professional teeth cleaning.
Consequences of not cleaning your teeth
Tartar and plaque are among the main causes of tooth decay and can be very dangerous for the health of the teeth, as well as particularly painful. If the cavities manage to reach the depth of the tooth, going beyond the dentine, they may reach the living part of the tooth, known as the pulp.
The inflammation of the latter is also called pulpitis and can in turn cause the infection called periapical dental abscess: if it becomes deep and manages to extend over time, it leads to other serious consequences, such as periodontal disease (known as pyorrhea or periodontitis).
If you do not take treatment to cure the infection, your condition may worsen even further, with all your teeth falling out of the socket. Periodontal pockets may also form, containing pus and bacteria. The final and most serious consequence is the loss of your teeth.
Benefits of professional teeth cleaning
The advantages guaranteed by professional teeth cleaning are many, among which first of all the total health of the teeth. The instruments used can completely eliminate tartar and plaque present, even in depths that are difficult to reach, such as the sub-gingival space and the interdental space. We therefore proceed with a thorough and complete cleaning, which benefits not only the teeth but also the gums. This way, you can prevent disorders such as gingivitis, periodontitis, or the presence of cavities. Your teeth will be whiter and shinier, you will have reduced hypersensitivity and greater strength for easier chewing. Gum inflammation can be prevented.
But is deep teeth cleaning painful
Teeth cleaning is not painful under normal conditions and is therefore not performed under local anesthesia unless there are particular conditions and this is recommended by your dentist or hygienist. Deep teeth cleaning can be a bit uncomfortable, so if you are very sensitive to pain, talk to us and we can suggest numbing your gums or other ways of controlling the discomfort.
In Conclusion
Though perhaps not the most comfortable procedure, deep cleaning is certainly not terribly painful and is very important for your overall oral health. It helps prevent cavities and gum disease and will help deter more complicated and more painful procedures if you develop these issues. Contact us today for an appointment and an exam to see if this procedure is right for you.