How painful is dental scaling?

Table of Contents

What is dental scaling?

Dental scaling, also known as teeth cleaning, is a procedure performed by dental hygienists and dentists to remove tartar and plaque from teeth. It is done to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease. During dental scaling, instruments are used to scrape and clean teeth above and below the gumline. This removes built-up calculus, plaque, and stains from tooth surfaces.

Dental scaling is usually performed along with root planing. Root planing gets down into the tiny spaces between the gums and teeth and smoothes rough spots on tooth roots where bacteria tend to gather. Scaling and root planing are often referred to together as a “deep cleaning.” They help treat gingivitis and periodontitis by removing bacteria that cause infection and inflammation.

Regular dental cleanings that include scaling are important for keeping teeth and gums healthy. The American Dental Association recommends regular dental cleanings every six months. For people with gum disease, more frequent cleanings may be needed.

Is dental scaling painful?

For most people, dental scaling causes little to no pain. However, some discomfort or sensitivity is possible, including:

– Mild pain or soreness during the procedure as the instruments scrape and clean the teeth and roots. Topical anesthetic is sometimes used to numb pain in sensitive areas.

– Tooth sensitivity after scaling, especially to hot and cold. This normally goes away within a few weeks as gums heal and reattach to the teeth.

– Sore or tender gums for 24-48 hours after scaling. Gums may be irritated from scraping and inflammation reduction.

– Jaw soreness or tiredness if the mouth is held open for an extended period.

So while dental scaling is generally not overly painful, some mild pain or discomfort can occur. Taking over-the-counter pain medication and using a sensitivity toothpaste for a few weeks after the procedure can provide relief.

What factors affect the pain of dental scaling?

Several factors can influence how painful dental scaling feels:

Amount of tartar and calculus – More buildup means more scraping is needed during scaling, which may increase pain and irritation.
Gum health – People with gingivitis or periodontitis may have more sensitive, inflamed gums that are more easily aggravated during scaling.

Tooth sensitivity – Teeth with existing sensitivity are more likely to be uncomfortable during and after the procedure.
Medications – Some blood thinners and medications that impact healing can lead to extended gum soreness.
Thoroughness – More time and instrumentation tends to increase the cleaning effectiveness but may also cause more pain.

Force and pressure – A delicate, gentle touch leads to less pain than aggressive scraping.
Location – Areas around wisdom teeth and molars tend to be more sensitive.
Dental anxiety – Apprehension and stress can heighten pain perception.

Tolerance – Every person has a different pain tolerance that impacts their scaling experience.

Being aware of these factors allows dentists to take steps to decrease scaling discomfort as much as possible.

Pain management during dental scaling

Dentists have several options for reducing pain during a dental scaling procedure:

Topical anesthetic – Gel or spray applied to gums to numb the area.
Local anesthetic – Dental injections numb specific sections of the mouth.
Premedication – Oral sedatives help patients relax.

Nitrous oxide – Laughing gas provides sedation and pain relief.
Vibration tool – Special electric tools vibrate the calculus, causing it to break up easily with less scraping force.
Minimal pressure – Causing less friction and irritation leads to less discomfort.

Frequent suctioning – Continuously removing debris and irrigation minimizes scraping needed.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen taken before scaling can also help reduce post-procedure discomfort.

Pain relief after dental scaling

These options provide relief in the hours and days following scaling:

Over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium.
Oral rinse with salt water to soothe irritated gums.
Topical fluoride gel or desensitizing toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

Soft foods – Stick to soft, mild foods like soup, eggs, and yogurt.
Cold foods – Ice cream, smoothies, and cold drinks can numb pain.
Avoid hot drinks and foods – Extreme temperatures aggravate sensitivity.

Proper oral hygiene – Gentle brushing and flossing keeps gums calm.
Chilling gel packs – Applying a cold compress outside the cheek reduces swelling.
CBD oil – Early research shows CBD may reduce post-dental pain and anxiety.

Most scaling discomfort goes away within a few days as the gums heal. If significant pain persists beyond one week, contact your dentist.

Pain during root planing

Root planing is often performed along with scaling during a deep cleaning. This procedure scrapes plaque and calculus deposits from the tooth roots.

Root planing tends to cause more pain than regular supragingival scaling because:

It occurs underneath the gums in a more sensitive area.
The tools dig deeper and access tooth roots.
It takes more time and instrumentation.

The gums are irritated and inflamed.

However, dentists use local anesthetic to keep root planing comfortable. The gums are numbed before planing, so most patients feel mild pressure but no sharp pain.

Pain after root planing

For 1-3 days after root planing, some post-procedure pain is common as the gums heal:

Gum soreness
Tooth sensitivity
Tenderness over exposed tooth roots

General mouth discomfort when chewing

Proper home care after root planing helps control discomfort:

Take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed.

Rinse with warm salt water 2-3 times per day.
Use desensitizing toothpaste.
Avoid very hot or cold foods/drinks.

Eat soft foods until gums start feeling better.
Gently brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Use floss very carefully between teeth.

Most post-planing sensitivity resolves within a few weeks. Contact your dentist if significant pain persists beyond one week.

Pain comparison between scaling and root planing

Although both procedures aim to remove plaque buildup, root planing tends to be more painful because:

It occurs under the gums on the tooth roots.

Tools dig deeper under the gums.
More local anesthetic is needed.
It takes more time, often 30 minutes to an hour.

Gums are inflamed and irritated.
Exposed roots are sensitive.

Regular supragingival scaling above the gumline is less invasive and usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Since it occurs entirely on the teeth in an area with fewer nerve endings, less anesthesia and pain control is needed.

However, pain levels still depend on each individual’s tolerance. With proper numbing, many people have only minor discomfort during root planing and moderate soreness afterward for a few days.

Pain differences between ultrasonic and hand scaling

There are two main types of tools used to remove plaque and calculus during scaling:

Ultrasonic scalers – A handheld tool with a vibrating metal tip that loosens buildup through ultrasonic waves and water irrigation.

Hand scalers – Manual, non-powered instruments with sharp edges that scrape the teeth.

Most dentists use a combination of ultrasonic and hand tools. But ultrasonic scalers alone tend to cause less pain because:

Vibrations help break up calculus with less scraping force.

There is less friction rubbing against the teeth.
Water spray keeps heat down that causes sensitivity.
It takes less time compared to manual hand scaling alone.

The metal tip does not sharp like a metal hand scaler.

However, people have different sensitivities. Hand scalers allow for more tactile precision in calculus detection. Some patients may still prefer these traditional tools.

Things that help with dental scaling pain

These tips can minimize pain during and after your dental scaling appointment:

Talk to your hygienist – They can modify techniques based on your discomfort.
Numbing gel – Topical anesthetics reduce sensitivity.
Local anesthetic – An injection blocks pain signals from the area.

Laughing gas – Nitrous oxide provides analgesia.
Premedication – Oral sedatives like Valium relieve anxiety.
Ibuprofen before – Anti-inflammatories curb discomfort.

Oral rinses – Salt water soothes gums after scaling.
Desensitizing toothpaste – Formulas for sensitive teeth help.
Soft foods – Stick to a soft diet for a few days.

Cold treats – Ice cream and smoothies feel nice.
Gentle oral hygiene – Carefully brush and floss.
CBD oil – Early research shows CBD decreases dental pain.

Let your dental team know you have pain concerns before the scaling procedure so they can take all possible steps to keep you comfortable.

Conclusion

While dental scaling and root planing aim to clean teeth down below the gumline, most patients tolerate the procedure quite well and appreciate the oral health benefits. Dentists have many options to reduce sensitivity, ranging from topical numbing agents to nitrous oxide.

Although scaling often causes some mild discomfort and gum soreness afterward, this is temporary during the healing process. Practicing proper oral hygiene and using desensitizing products helps control post-procedure sensitivity. Avoiding very hot and cold foods and drinks also minimizes irritation during recovery.

With modern pain control methods, dental scaling is generally much less painful than many patients imagine. Working with a gentle, experienced dental professional makes a significant difference in comfort. Be sure to communicate any pain concerns you have before treatment so proper precautions are taken to keep you as relaxed as possible.