My last dental cleaning was too rough. It felt like the hygienist was trying to dig my teeth out from their roots. My gums ached and bled during the appointment. The hygienist said I had a lot of buildup beneath my gumline, but this is the first time a hygienist has been so aggressive with my teeth. It’s been two days since the cleaning, and my gums are still a little sensitive. Could I have permanent gum damage? – Thanks. Wesley from NH

Wesley,

Although you may have experienced a quick dental cleaning in the past, a thorough cleaning takes time. Properly removing hardened deposits (calculus) below the gumline takes more than a few minutes. Most quality dental offices schedule at least 40 minutes for a cleaning, sometimes allowing a full hour for careful attention to your teeth and gums.

If your previous hygienists didn’t remove the buildup below the gumline, your most recent cleaning would be painful and cause some bleeding. Hardened deposits left for months or years inflame the gum tissue, so deep cleaning to remove them can cause bleeding as the tissue responds to the treatment.

Can a Hygienist’s Cleaning Damage Your Gums?

Neglect, not overcleaning, is usually the cause of gum damage. Chronic inflammation from built-up plaque and calculus can gradually cause gum recession and destroy the bone supporting your teeth. Removing the deposits early preserves gum tissue and bone.

We hope you can continue seeing your most recent for future visits. She was conscientious about taking the time to preserve your oral health.

If you are sure that your hygienist was overly aggressive, causing temporary bleeding in otherwise healthy gums, the tissue should heal without permanent harm.

 

Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek sponsors this post. Read how Dr. Szarek strives to give his patients the best dental care in Lowell.