Keeping Your Teeth for Life

When I got my teeth cleaned, it hurt! What can I do about it?

Several patients have recently asked why it hurts when they get their teeth cleaned.

One reason why a dental cleaning can hurt is recession of the gums. Gum tissue can recede or pull away from the teeth for many reasons. :

• The most common reason is aggressive use of a toothbrush that abrades and damages the gums. Dr. Peterson says, "People get in the habit of brushing their teeth so hard that they are sawing their gums off. They would be better off holding their toothbrush with a lighter grip, or getting an electric toothbrush that tells them if they are brushing too hard."
• Orthodontic treatment (braces)
• Oral piercings
• Heredity

Unfortunately, once the gums have receded, they will not grow back on their own. When gums recede, the roots of the teeth become exposed and these roots can be very sensitive to things like hot and cold, or to touch. Some things that can help make recession areas less sensitive are:

• The use of a sensitivity toothpaste
• Regular fluoride applications either at home via a fluoride rinse or gel or applications at the dental office
• Use of a desensitizer prior to dental cleanings
• Use only soft bristled toothbrushes and do not brush too aggressively
• Use small circular motions to brush – don't saw back and forth

If a patient's recession is very severe or the sensitivity from it is particularly bad we may refer you to the care of a periodontist, a dentist that specializes in gum treatments. They can perform grafting that can recover these sensitive roots with new gum tissue to protect them. If you think you suffer from recession, please let us know so we can find the best way to manage your sensitivity!

Bleeding Gums?

Another reason why dental cleanings can hurt is the presence of gum disease or gingivitis. Healthy gums don't bleed when flossed or when you have a dental cleaning. Bleeding means that inflammation is present and the gums are diseased. The easiest way to prevent gum disease and gingivitis is by using good habits at home.

Preventing Pain and Improving Health

• Brushing your teeth at least twice a day (in the morning after breakfast and at night right before bed) for at least 2 minutes at a time is just the first step
• Dry brushing your teeth without toothpaste first. Toothpaste makes everything feel slippery and smooth in your mouth and you can't always tell if you got all the plaque off. By brushing first with a dry toothbrush you can check with your tongue to make sure everything feels smooth and clean and then use the toothpaste to freshen your breath!
• Flossing daily is the step that most patients skip and it is the most important one for keeping the gum tissues in good health. Flossing removes the plaque and bacteria that accumulates between the teeth. This plaque and bacteria are what cause gum disease and gingivitis, as well as bad breath. When plaque and bacteria sit on the gums the gum tissues become inflamed, red, swollen, tender, and bleed easily.

Cleanings Remove Hardened Tartar

The goal of a dental cleaning is to remove the hardened plaque called calculus or tartar. When plaque has been sitting on the teeth and gums for too long, it hardens into this tartar that cannot be removed by a toothbrush or floss and must be removed by dental instruments. This hardened tartar causes irritation to the gums, like a sliver in your finger. By keeping good habits at home, you will have less hardened tartar to have to be removed at your dental cleanings.

Easy Home Care

There are some other things you can do at home to keep your gums healthier and make your cleanings less painful.

Rinsing daily with a mouth rinse can help to kill the bacteria that cause gum disease. The best rinses for this would be Listerine or Crest Pro Health.

For people who have a hard time holding or using dental floss, a waterpick can be helpful. There are many varieties of waterpicks available. Waterpicks are especially useful for patients who have bridges, braces, or spaces between the teeth. Dr. Peterson is particularly fond of the H2Oral Irrigator. www.h2oralirrigator.com

Please ask us if you have any questions about sensitivity, there are many excellent products and techniques out there that can help patients minimize pain and keep their teeth for life! We are here to help you keep your teeth and gums as healthy as they can be!