Sensitivity of the teeth following a dental cleaning is normal and can be completely resolved in 24 to 48 hours. It occurs since scaling eliminates tartar that had been covering the roots of the teeth and the gum line making the sensitive parts temporarily exposed to air and temperature variations. It is more experienced in patients with receding gums, deep pockets, or long intercleaning intervals.
Did you have a slight sensitivity in your teeth following your last dental cleaning? Cold water perhaps smack, or a breath of air made you pout. Then, you are in fine company and there is nothing much to fret about, in most cases.
But sensitivity is not something to rule out either. It is really different when it comes to the temporary discomfort you experience after a regular cleaning and the discomfort that indicates that something is amiss.
This is one of the questions that we frequently receive at Clove Dental as a dentist in Thousand Oaks. This guide will present you with a clear and straightforward breakdown of what is normal and what is not and what to do in case the sensitivity lingers longer than anticipated.
Yes, within limits. A certain amount of sensitivity following a professional cleaning is quite normal, particularly when it is the first time in a long time you have had your periodontal therapy or when you have an early-stage gum disease. It does not mean that something has gone amiss with the appointment.
The most important question is its duration. Normal post-cleaning sensitivity disappears in 24-48 hours. When you continue to experience discomfort after 2 to 3 days, especially when it is located in a specific area and is becoming more severe, then that is the time when you can make a follow-up appointment with your Thousand Oaks dental care provider.
The majority of patients presume that sensitivity is caused by the cleaning being done too hard. The actual cause is simpler.
Tartar Hardened plaque is deposited over time along the gum line and on the tooth roots. After it becomes hard, it serves as insulation to delicate surfaces. For the first time in many months, those surfaces are exposed to the open air of your mouth, to air, temperature, pressure, etc. when your hygienist removes it during scaling.
The temporary exposure is the cause of sensitivity. It is not the harm, it is your teeth getting used to being clean again. Minor inflammation of the gums in the vicinity of newly scaled areas may contribute to the sensation temporarily. Both are resolved easily with due care.
Not all people walk away with a cleaning. The amount of post cleaning sensitivity depends on a number of factors-
In case any of them applies to you, please state it prior to your cleaning. Our dentists Thousand Oaks team can adapt and provide desensitizing services to ensure that you feel comfortable even before the procedure.
Certain patterns of sensitivity exceed the post-cleaning window. Note down, should you observe-
These trends indicate more than a simple adaptation. They can be signs of a hollow, a defected tooth or of an abscess or gum disease requiring some treatment more than a regular cleaning. Call your dentist in Thousand Oaks, do not leave it.
When sensitivity does not take the 24 to 48 hour expected schedule, a number of underlying matters can be eliminated-
At Clove Dental, the team of multiple specialty specialists will be able to identify the cause of persistent sensitivity almost instantly, even during the same appointment, without referring to any third-party.
Post-cleaning sensitivity is easy to manage, and is normally effective in a day or two-
Enquire about fluoride application. Clove Dental is now offering professional fluoride treatments, which are applied at the end of your cleaning to remineralize and protect enamel.
This is the irony that most patients do not anticipate: not wanting to have cleanings due to sensitivity nearly always leads to worse sensitivity in the future rather than better
By letting tartar build up over 18 months or two years rather than six, a lot more has to be removed at the next appointment. Greater scaling amounts to greater surface area being newly exposed, and a much longer, more painful period of healing. Regular patients always arrive with minimal to no post-cleaning sensitivity due to the less to be removed every time.
The best approach to ensure that the sensitivity to a minimum and the procedure as comfortable as possible is to have consistent Thousand Oaks dental care at the correct time of the day. Depending on your gum condition and the tartar formation, your hygienist will advise the appropriate schedule.
At Clove Dental, we know that one of the primary reasons why patients wait to get dental care is because they are afraid of the pain. We put our philosophy of Thousand Oaks dental care on making each appointment as comfortable as it is effective.
Some post-professional cleaning sensitivity is the normal reaction of your mouth to having accumulated tartar removed, rather than a cause of concern. It goes away quickly and it is a low cost to the health of the gums and cavity prevention that routine cleanings provide.
What you do not want to do is to discount sensitivity that persists, intensifies or is localized to a single tooth. Such discomfort is worth exploration and the earlier the cause is caught the cheaper and easier it is to deal with almost always.
Ready to have a cleaning as comfortable as it can be comprehensive? Book your appointment at Clove Dental, the dental practice you can trust with your Thousand Oaks dental care needs, and leave the rest to our team.
How long should teeth be sensitive after a cleaning?
The normal post cleaning sensitivity is 24-48 hours. Two to three days later, in case you are still experiencing sensitivity, or your symptoms are not improving, see your dentist in Thousand Oaks who will evaluate you again.
Is it normal for gums to be sore after a cleaning?
Yes. Mild soreness of the gums, particularly around the places where there is an accumulation of tartar is normal during the first day or two. Warm salt water can help. Should soreness be severe or should it not go away in 48 hours, inform your dentist.
Can I eat normally after a cleaning?
Yes, however, do not eat or drink very hot, cold or acidic within the first 24 hours. These may worsen newly polished surfaces and make them more sensitive. The safest foods that can be eaten the rest of the day are soft and room-temperature foods.
Does a deep cleaning cause more sensitivity than a regular cleaning?
Generally, yes. A thorough cleaning, scaling and root planing, goes further below the gum line to treat active gum disease. A greater area is covered and therefore sensitivity and soreness of gums can take a few days to be experienced than with a standard cleaning. Your Clove Dental hygienist will discuss with you what to expect in advance
Why do my teeth feel sensitive even though I brush regularly?
It cannot be removed with the help of regular brushing, as soon as it has hardened, and it can be done with professional scaling. When the tartar is removed beneath the gum line, the underlying surfaces will be exposed for the first time in months, leading to temporary sensitivity no matter how hard you might brush at home.