What Are the Side Effects of Teeth Cleaning? What You Need to Know

What are the side effects of teeth cleaning?...

Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential for maintaining optimal oral health. During these appointments, your dental hygienist performs a thorough cleaning to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth. While teeth cleaning is generally considered safe and beneficial, some patients may experience side effects.

Understanding these potential side effects is crucial for making informed decisions about your dental care. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the common side effects of teeth cleaning and provide valuable insights on what you need to know.

What is Teeth Cleaning?

Regular teeth cleaning plays a pivotal role in maintaining a radiant smile and optimal oral health. The primary objective of dental cleaning is the removal of plaque and tartar accumulation on the teeth and beneath the gum line, thereby mitigating the risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.

In addition to plaque and tartar removal, dental cleanings afford dentists the opportunity to assess for indications of tooth decay, oral cancer, and other oral health concerns. This proactive approach enables early detection and intervention, promoting overall dental wellness.

A non-surgical, routine dental cleaning procedure may differ in duration depending on the condition of the teeth and gums. Typically, a standard dental cleaning spans just under an hour. Nonetheless, the duration may vary based on the extent of scaling required to address individual dental needs.

How Often Should I Get Teeth Cleaning?

The frequency of dental cleanings is determined by the observations made by the dentist or dental hygienist during the examination, as well as the individual circumstances of the patient.

While the standard recommendation for optimal oral health is biannual cleanings, occurring twice a year, a more frequent interval of every three to four months may be necessary if any indications of gum disease are detected.

For children, molar sealants may be suggested as a preventive measure against cavities in hard-to-reach areas that are challenging to brush effectively. Regular visits to the dentist for routine teeth cleanings are crucial in preventing dental issues from arising altogether.

What are the Various Side Effects of Teeth Cleaning?

Undergoing professional teeth cleaning in Smithtown offers numerous benefits, including cleaner teeth, healthier gums, and improved oral health. However, as with any medical or dental procedure, it's important to be aware of potential side effects. Here are some common side effects you may experience after undergoing a dental cleaning near you:

Sensitive Teeth

Over time, a hard layer of calculus known as tartar can build up on your teeth if proper oral hygiene is not maintained. When your dentist in West Edmonton removes this layer of tartar during cleaning, the newly exposed clean surface of your teeth may become sensitive to air, liquids, and foods of varying temperatures. While this sensitivity is usually temporary and fades within a few days, it can be uncomfortable in the meantime.

Sore Gums

The removal of plaque and tartar from around and below the gum line can lead to soreness in your gums. This discomfort is common after a deep cleaning but typically resolves on its own with time. Over-the-counter pain medications and rinsing with salt water can help alleviate gum soreness and promote healing.

Bleeding Gums

In cases of serious periodontal disease, removing plaque and tartar from below the gum line may cause minor bleeding in the gums. Additionally, the physical process of cleaning near the gums can result in temporary gum swelling. While these symptoms usually subside within a few days, persistent swelling or bleeding may indicate an underlying infection that requires treatment with antibiotics prescribed by your dentist.

Noticeable Gaps Between Teeth

Food deposits and plaque that accumulate on the teeth over time can fill in small gaps between teeth, making them less visible. However, removing plaque and tartar during cleaning may reveal these original gaps, which can be surprising if you were unaware of them or had become accustomed to not seeing them. It's important to note that dental cleaning itself does not create gaps between teeth but rather exposes pre-existing ones.

The side effects of professional dental cleanings are typically minor and temporary. They can be managed with simple measures such as using desensitizing toothpaste, antimicrobial mouthwash, salt water rinses, and over-the-counter painkillers. If you haven't had your teeth cleaned in over a year, scheduling an appointment with a dentist is essential to remove plaque and tartar buildup and prevent further risks to your oral health. Don't wait until issues escalate—prioritize your dental health today.

Takeaway

The pillars of maintaining great oral health, even in the absence of expert assistance, are consistent daily brushing and flossing. Including routine dental cleanings in your oral hygiene routine, however, provides an additional line of defense against any mouth infections. Notwithstanding any potential drawbacks, it is important to recognize the importance of scaling and other expert teeth-cleaning procedures.

You may minimize the need for regular dental cleanings and the accompanying expenses by keeping up good oral hygiene habits at home. It's best to speak with your dentist to get the best toothpaste that is suited to your unique dental needs.

Contact Mathew Dental Group in Smithtown, NY, today!

FAQs

Regular dental cleanings play a pivotal role in upholding optimal oral health. These cleanings effectively eliminate debris, plaque, tartar, and biofilm—a thin bacterial film—that brushing and flossing alone cannot completely remove.

Ensure plaque removal by cleaning between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental product. Incorporate a mouthwash or rinse into your daily routine to prevent plaque buildup. Maintain a healthy diet by limiting sugary or starchy foods and opting for nutritious options. Steer clear of tobacco products to safeguard your oral health.

After plaque and tartar buildup are removed during deep cleaning, any pre-existing looseness in the teeth may become more apparent. Consequently, some individuals may experience a sensation of looseness in their teeth following the procedure. However, it's important to note that the cleaning process itself does not cause the teeth to loosen or become dislodged.

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