{"id":544,"date":"2025-01-13T20:14:25","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T20:14:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greatdentalexpressions.com\/blog\/?p=544"},"modified":"2025-02-24T20:16:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T20:16:44","slug":"careful-cleaning-do-dental-checkups-hurt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatdentalexpressions.com\/blog\/careful-cleaning-do-dental-checkups-hurt\/","title":{"rendered":"Careful Cleaning: Do Dental Checkups Hurt?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Man<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Did you know that the American Dental Association recommends scheduling a routine visit with your dentist every six months? Scheduling a checkup and cleaning<\/a> twice annually allows your provider to strengthen your smile and monitor your condition so they can catch and address any issues before they progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, about half of American citizens haven\u2019t had a dental appointment in the past 12 months. If it\u2019s been a while since you\u2019ve had your teeth cleaned professionally, you might wonder whether it will hurt. Continue reading to learn more about what to expect so you can set your fears aside!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Happens During Dental Cleanings?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s natural to feel anxious about upcoming procedures if you\u2019re unsure what is involved, even if it\u2019s for basic preventative care. Although it might vary slightly based on your provider and your current dental condition, typically your dentist starts by visually examining your teeth and gums to look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease or injuries. They\u2019ll also screen your soft tissues for potential signs of oral cancer to catch this rare but dangerous condition as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They might also take X-rays to ensure there are no issues developing underneath the surface. Then, they\u2019ll use specialized instruments to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums to reduce your vulnerability to cavities or periodontal problems. They\u2019ll also floss between them to ensure no bacteria or residue remains beneath the gumline. Finally, they\u2019ll polish your pearly whites to remove surface stains so your smile sparkles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Dental Cleanings Hurt?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s natural to worry that your dental team might be overly aggressive when scrubbing your teeth and leave you feeling sore, but that\u2019s thankfully not the case. If it\u2019s been a long time since your last visit, however, you might experience some sensitivity or bleeding once long-standing plaque or tartar are removed. This is because the tissues are tender beneath the gunk that has built up over time and can feel tender or triggered after they\u2019ve been cleared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more you have your teeth cleaned, the more desensitized you become and the less likely you are to feel any discomfort after the fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Prepare for My Dental Cleaning?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re so afraid of aches that you avoid scheduling routine visits, you can chat with your dentist about sedatives. Many providers offer one or more medications that can help you feel calm and relaxed or sit still for the duration of your procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It might help to brush and floss more thoroughly at home so there\u2019s less buildup for your dentist to remove. Usually, it\u2019s also safe to take over-the-counter medications, like Tylenol or ibuprofen, before your appointment so it kicks in by the time your dentist starts working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more frequently your teeth are cleaned, the less likely you are to experience any adverse effects!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Patients at Dental Expressions benefit from a husband-and-wife team that offer a comprehensive menu of services at one convenient location, including preventative care. With 25+ years of combined experience, Drs. Bob and Heather Heil can help with basic checkups and cleanings to more complex procedures. They take the time to get to know your unique goals and concerns, then utilize state-of-the-art equipment to provide accurate treatments to address them. If you\u2019re worried about the condition of your grin, you can request a routine visit on the website<\/a> or call (920) 788-6280.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Did you know that the American Dental Association recommends scheduling a routine visit with your dentist every six months? Scheduling a checkup and cleaning twice annually allows your provider to strengthen your smile and monitor your condition so they can catch and address any issues before they progress. However, about half of American citizens haven\u2019t […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nCareful Cleaning: Do Dental Checkups Hurt? | Dental Expressions<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you\u2019re scared that having your teeth professionally cleaned might hurt, continue reading to learn more about why you don\u2019t have to worry!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greatdentalexpressions.com\/blog\/careful-cleaning-do-dental-checkups-hurt\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Careful Cleaning: Do Dental Checkups Hurt? | Dental Expressions\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you\u2019re scared that having your teeth professionally cleaned might hurt, continue reading to learn more about why you don\u2019t have to worry!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.greatdentalexpressions.com\/blog\/careful-cleaning-do-dental-checkups-hurt\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Dental Expressions Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-01-13T20:14:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-24T20:16:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.greatdentalexpressions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AdobeStock_144850569-1024x683.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"dentalexpressions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"dentalexpressions\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.greatdentalexpressions.com\/blog\/careful-cleaning-do-dental-checkups-hurt\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.greatdentalexpressions.com\/blog\/careful-cleaning-do-dental-checkups-hurt\/\",\"name\":\"Careful Cleaning: Do Dental Checkups Hurt? 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