Table of contents:
- Scaling treatment needs to be done by everyone
- Tooth sensitivity only lasts temporarily after scaling
- How to deal with sensitive teeth after scaling
- The tartar still needs to be cleaned regularly
Scaling or scaling is the most common treatment at dentists. This treatment is important to clean plaque and tartar on the entire surface of the teeth. Maybe some people ask, is it true that teeth feel sensitive after scaling? Then, can people with sensitive teeth undergo scaling treatment? Let's find out the answer below.
Scaling treatment needs to be done by everyone
Plaque contains bacteria and sticks tightly to the surface of the teeth. This can be cleaned by brushing your teeth. Plaque that is not cleaned and remains on the teeth will experience mineral deposition so that it hardens, forming tartar or calculus.
Colored foods and drinks such as tea and coffee that we consume as well as smoking habits can also leave stains on our so-called teeth stain.
Tartar and stain can not be cleaned with just a toothbrush, but it needs treatment by a dentist using a special tool. It is not recommended to clean yourself at home, especially using sharp objects and chemicals.
Scaling treatment is recommended for everyone who has tartar, either small or large amounts of it.
The dentist will clean the tartar using a tool ultrasonic scaler. This tool works with vibrations or vibrations that make the tartar attachment loose from the teeth. When scaling is done in a proper manner, it certainly will not make the enamel (enamel) of the teeth damaged or thinning.
Maybe some patients feel discomfort due to pain after undergoing this treatment. This usually raises the question, does scaling affect tooth sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity only lasts temporarily after scaling
According to the survey Journal of Dentistry, 62.5% -90% of patients complained of tooth sensitivity one day after scaling. The good news is that these complaints fade away in a few days under a week.
Before starting the scaling, the dentist will thoroughly examine the structure and condition of the patient's teeth. In patients who come with complaints of sensitive teeth, the causative factors will be sought first. Sensitive teeth can occur due to gum recession (gum recession), erosion of the enamel layer, broken teeth, and many other factors.
Discomfort such as pain during tartar cleaning and sensitive teeth after treatment can be determined by several things, such as:
- The amount and depth of tartar
- The condition of the patient's teeth and gums
- Dental experience, techniques and tools
The surface of the teeth that was previously covered with tartar after cleaning will be exposed, making the teeth feel more sensitive to stimulation for a while. Imagine the teeth are who we are, the tartar is the blanket.
When it is cold, the blanket we use is taken, of course we will feel colder for a while. Likewise with teeth, when the corals are cleaned, the teeth will feel more sensitive temporarily after scaling so that it takes time for adjustment.
In patients who have receding gums, usually the tartar will cover the neck of the teeth. In this part is not covered by tooth enamel. After cleaning, of course, this part of the tooth will feel sensitive.
Very hard and old tartar will be more difficult to remove. This situation has the risk of eroding the enamel which will open the dentin part of the tooth when scaling. This can trigger tooth sensitivity. Therefore, don't wait for too much tartar to accumulate to scaling.
How to deal with sensitive teeth after scaling
If you feel sensitive teeth after scaling treatment, here are things you can do to relieve discomfort:
- Avoid things that make sensitive teeth, such as cold, hot, sour, too sweet, and fizzy foods and drinks.
- Using a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth that has active ingredients such as potassium nitrate and Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate, thus helping to relieve pain and at the same time providing protection from soreness caused by sensitive teeth.
- On the surface of the tooth that you feel uncomfortable with, apply a thin layer of toothpaste specifically for sensitive teeth, then take it to bed. Do this after brushing your teeth.
- If the sensitivity exceeds one week, you should return to the dentist for further treatment.
The tartar still needs to be cleaned regularly
Generally it is advisable to do scaling every 6 months as well as periodic control to the dentist. In fact, everyone has different tartar formation rates. Therefore, it is necessary to consult with a dentist to determine the number and time of visits that suit your condition.
Patients with tooth sensitivity complaints are not a benchmark for determining the number and time of scaling visits. We recommend that for patients with sensitive teeth, consult the cause of your sensitive teeth. You can also apply the treatment for sensitive teeth after scaling like the points above.
However, you don't need to scaling your teeth too often. It also takes time for tartar to form. Remember, what is important is not "often", but "regularly" according to the schedule suggested by the dentist based on your needs.
Also Read:
