Getting routine cleanings is a crucial part of preventive oral care. You leave your dentist’s office with your teeth looking fresh. But soon afterward, you may notice mild sensitivity or a brief stinging sensation in your teeth. Mild sensitivity is normal, but the question is: how long do teeth feel sensitive after a dental cleaning? Let’s have a look at it.
Is It Normal for Teeth to Feel Sensitive After a Dental Cleaning?
Many people are caught off guard when their teeth start to feel a little sore after a cleaning. Relax! Light soreness and sensitivity in teeth after a routine cleaning is quite normal. There are a number of reasons why it happens:
Exposed tooth surfaces
Dental cleanings remove the layer of plaque and tartar from your tooth surfaces, including the areas where brushing alone cannot reach. The parts of your teeth that were once covered with those deposits get exposed again. So, your teeth may feel a little more sensitive for some time.
This is more likely to happen if you have exposed tooth roots because of receding gums.
Gum inflammation
Instruments work near the gumline during a cleaning. Naturally, gums feel a bit tender afterward. If you already had inflamed gums, the sensation might be heightened.
Deeper cleanings
People with gum disease may need a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. They clean both above and below your gumline. So temporary sensitivity occurs afterward.
How Long Do Teeth Feel Sensitive After a Cleaning?
Most of the time, sensitivity after a routine teeth cleaning lasts one to three days. It may last up to a week if there was heavy buildup around your teeth and gums.
For some people, it feels like a sharp sting when they try something hot or cold. Others may only have a dull ache. In either case, sensitivity that gets better each day is not something to panic about.
The problem is if it stays longer than a week or gets worse. Contact your dentist in this situation. There might be another issue that needs attention.
Easy Ways to Manage Post-Cleaning Sensitivity
Keep yourself comfortable after a cleaning with these tips:
- Be extra gentle while brushing. Your gums will be tender for a day or two. Make sure to use a soft toothbrush.
- Wait about 24 hours before getting back to flossing your teeth.
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste. Ask your dentist for a specific brand.
- Give your teeth a few days’ break from very hot and cold foods/drinks.
- Saltwater rinses help. Just make sure the water is lukewarm, not too hot.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. It can help manage soreness, especially after deep cleanings.
Wrapping Up
Mild tooth sensitivity after a dental cleaning is common and usually temporary. If your sensitivity is severe, worsening, or not improving, contact our team at John H. Krell D.D.S. for an evaluation. Give us a call at (713) 877-1775 to schedule a visit.