Pain After Dental Stone Cleaning
Dental scaling is an important step to maintain dental health and have an aesthetically beautiful smile. Tooth stones are formed as a result of the plaque accumulated on the tooth surfaces hardening over time, and if not cleaned regularly, it can lead to gum diseases. Scaling improves gum health and increases oral hygiene by removing these plaques and hardened tartar. However, some individuals may feel pain and discomfort after this procedure.
The causes of pain after dental scaling may depend on various factors. This pain usually occurs as a result of conditions such as gum sensitivity, pressure applied during cleaning of plaque on the teeth, or temporary exposure of tooth enamel. This discomfort is usually temporary and subsides within a few days. Precautions that can be taken to relieve pain after dental scaling include using painkillers, avoiding hot and cold foods and drinks, and using oral care products recommended by your dentist.
Ways to protect dental health include habits such as regular brushing, flossing and regular dentist check-ups. In addition, healthy eating and avoiding sugary foods also play an important role in protecting dental health.
What is Dental Stone Cleaning and Why is it Done?
Scaling is the process of cleaning the plaque and tartar accumulated on the teeth by professional dentists using special tools. This process is extremely important to ensure that teeth and gums remain healthy. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria that forms on teeth. These bacteria feed on food residues and produce acid, damaging tooth enamel. If these plaques are not cleaned regularly, they harden over time and turn into tartar. Tartar is a hard structure that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing and can only be removed by dentists with special tools.
Tartar can lead to gum disease, cavities and other oral health problems. Gum diseases begin with inflammation of the gums due to plaque and tartar accumulation. This inflammation can cause the gums to become swollen, red, and bleeding. Left untreated, gum disease can progress to a more serious condition called periodontitis. Periodontitis can cause gums to recede and damage the supporting tissues of the teeth, which can lead to tooth loss.
What Causes Pain After Dental Stone Cleaning?
There are several possible causes of pain after scaling. These reasons help us understand the discomfort that may be experienced during and after the procedure. Here are some common causes of this pain:
- Gum Sensitivity: Gums are also cleaned during dental scaling. This process may cause temporary sensitivity in the gums. Cleaning the gums may cause pain, especially in cases where tartar accumulates near the gum line. Gum sensitivity becomes more noticeable if the gums become inflamed or infected. This sensitivity usually occurs immediately after cleansing and subsides within a few days. Your dentist may recommend appropriate painkillers or desensitizing toothpastes to make this process more comfortable.
- Tooth Sensitivity: When tartar is removed, the surface of the tooth is exposed. This can lead to increased sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet or sour foods. When the dentin layer under the tooth enamel is exposed, tooth sensitivity may occur. Dentin is full of small tubules, and these tubules are directly connected to nerves. Therefore, exposure of the dentin layer leads to greater sensitivity to environmental stimuli. Your dentist may recommend using fluoride treatments or anti-sensitivity products to reduce sensitivity.
- İşlem Sonrası İrritasyon: Diş taşı temizliği sırasında kullanılan aletler ve yöntemler, diş eti dokusunda hafif bir irritasyona yol açabilir. Bu irritasyon, işlem sonrasında birkaç gün süren hafif bir ağrıya neden olabilir. Ultrasonik scaler ve diğer temizlik aletleri, diş eti dokusunu hafifçe tahriş edebilir. Ayrıca, temizleme işlemi sırasında diş etlerinde hafif kanamalar da meydana gelebilir. Bu durum, iyileşme sürecinde hafif rahatsızlıklara neden olabilir. Diş hekiminiz, bu irritasyonu azaltmak için antiseptik gargara veya yumuşak diş fırçası kullanmanızı tavsiye edebilir.
- Varolan Diş Eti Hastalıkları: Eğer diş taşı temizliği öncesinde diş eti hastalığı gibi bir durum söz konusuysa, temizlik işlemi bu bölgelerde geçici bir ağrıya neden olabilir. Diş eti hastalıkları olan kişilerde, diş taşı temizliği sonrası daha fazla rahatsızlık hissedilebilir. Periodontitis gibi ileri düzey diş eti hastalıkları, diş etlerinde ve dişleri destekleyen kemik yapısında hasara yol açabilir. Bu durumda, diş taşı temizliği, mevcut inflamasyonu artırarak geçici ağrı ve hassasiyete neden olabilir. Diş hekiminiz, diş eti hastalığınızın ciddiyetine bağlı olarak ek tedavi yöntemleri önerebilir.
Ways to Reduce Pain After Dental Stone Cleaning
You can try the following methods to relieve pain and speed up the healing process after dental scaling:
- Painkillers: You can use painkillers recommended by your doctor to relieve the pain after dental scaling. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can reduce pain and swelling.
- Salt Water Gargle: Gargling with salt water prepared by adding a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water can relieve irritation and pain in the gums. This solution also reduces bacteria in the mouth.
- Soft Toothbrush and Desensitizing Toothpaste: You can use a soft-bristled toothbrush and desensitizing toothpaste to reduce tooth sensitivity. These products gently clean your teeth and reduce your sensitivity.
- Cold Compress: You can apply cold compresses to reduce gum swelling and pain. You can wrap the ice pack in a towel and apply it to the outer cheek area for 15-20 minutes.
- Fluid Consumption and Nutrition: Avoiding excessive hot, cold, spicy and acidic foods for the first few days after dental scaling can help reduce pain. Instead, you can choose soft foods such as warm soup and puree.
Ways to Maintain Dental Health
You can pay attention to the following suggestions to have a healthy mouth structure after dental scaling and to prevent the formation of tartar again:
- Regular Brushing and Flossing: You can keep your teeth clean by brushing and flossing at least twice a day. This habit prevents plaque formation and reduces tartar accumulation.
- Balanced Diet: Adopting a healthy diet by avoiding sugary and processed foods will help you protect your oral health. Drinking plenty of water also helps clean bacteria and food debris in the mouth.
- Limiting Smoking and Alcohol Use: Smoking and alcohol use negatively affect teeth and gum health. You can have healthier teeth by staying away from these habits.
- Regular Dental Checkups: Going to the dentist regularly every six months allows you to have your dental health checked and possible problems to be diagnosed early.
- Limiting Smoking and Alcohol Use: Smoking and alcohol use negatively affect teeth and gum health. You can have healthier teeth by staying away from these habits.
