{"id":542,"date":"2023-07-12T16:31:44","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T16:31:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/?p=542"},"modified":"2023-08-29T16:51:53","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T16:51:53","slug":"the-truth-about-teeth-cleanings-do-they-hurt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/2023\/07\/12\/the-truth-about-teeth-cleanings-do-they-hurt\/","title":{"rendered":"The Truth About Teeth Cleanings: Do They Hurt?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/AdobeStock_327291310__1692901017_95575.jpg\" alt=\"Woman smiling at her dentist as her dentist holds up some tools to either side of her face\" class=\"wp-image-544\" style=\"width:319px;height:213px\" width=\"319\" height=\"213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/AdobeStock_327291310__1692901017_95575.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/AdobeStock_327291310__1692901017_95575-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/AdobeStock_327291310__1692901017_95575-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 319px) 100vw, 319px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Have you been putting off your next <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/dental-checkups-cleanings.html\">dental cleaning<\/a> because you\u2019re worried it might be painful? You\u2019re not alone. It\u2019s hard to willingly put yourself in a position where you might be subject to discomfort of any kind. Thinking about having to sit still in a chair while someone pokes and prods the inside of your mouth might send chills down your spine. Fortunately, your dentist is very experienced in treating patients with all levels of dental anxiety, and they value your comfort. If you want to know the truth about teeth cleanings and if they hurt, read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a><a><\/a><strong>Does Getting a Teeth Cleaning Hurt?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In short, getting a teeth cleaning should not hurt, but many people do experience some level of discomfort during the process. The more frequently you get your teeth cleaned, the less there is to clean!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you postpone your appointment, debris has more time to build up above and below your gumline. As a result, your gums may be more sensitive to touch. If the plaque and tartar sit below the gumline, they are harder to reach, meaning your cleaning may be more uncomfortable. Fortunately, regular cleanings can keep this from happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Can I Avoid Discomfort at My Cleaning?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though your dentist\u2019s job is to clean your teeth and gums and remove plaque and tartar, another one of their top priorities is your comfort. If you\u2019re worried about tooth sensitivity or gum tenderness during your teeth cleaning, they are more than willing to work with you so that you can get through your appointments stress-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few ways you can help make sure your teeth cleaning is a comfortable experience:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Over-the-counter Pain Medication: <\/strong>Taking an over-the-counter painkiller before your cleaning can help reduce existing inflammation in your mouth and minimize uncomfortable sensations during treatment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Desensitizing Toothpaste:<\/strong> Consider getting a toothpaste that helps desensitize your teeth and gums. Use it regularly to strengthen your enamel and minimize how sensitive your teeth feel.<s><\/s><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Clear Communication:<\/strong> Talk to your dentist about what options you have for numbing gel, anesthetics, or sedation. You can also establish some sort of hand signal to let your dentist know you are experiencing pain or are in need of a break.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t grin and bear it \u2013 if you are feeling uncomfortable in any way during your dental cleaning, remember that your dentist is your friend. They want to ensure you have a good experience at your appointment and will meet you where you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a><a><\/a><strong>About the Author<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/meet-dr-howard.html\">Dr. Nelson Y. Howard<\/a> has over 37 years of experience in dentistry and utilizes his vast clinical knowledge to provide an extensive array of dental services. He uses advanced technology and techniques so that his patients can experience stress-free treatment. If you&#8217;re due for a dental cleaning and want a dentist who prioritizes your comfort, reach out to Dr. Howard through his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/contact.html\">website<\/a> or by phone at (760) 599-6559.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you been putting off your next dental cleaning because you\u2019re worried it might be painful? You\u2019re not alone. It\u2019s hard to willingly put yourself in a position where you might be subject to discomfort of any kind. Thinking about having to sit still in a chair while someone pokes and prods the inside of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Truth About Teeth Cleanings: Do They Hurt? | Nelson Y. Howard, D.D.S<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Going to the dentist can be a struggle for anyone. To alleviate your worries, here is the truth about teeth cleanings and if they hurt.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Truth About Teeth Cleanings: Do They Hurt? | Nelson Y. Howard, D.D.S\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Going to the dentist can be a struggle for anyone. To alleviate your worries, here is the truth about teeth cleanings and if they hurt.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/2023\/07\/12\/the-truth-about-teeth-cleanings-do-they-hurt\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Nelson Y. 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