Getting a teeth cleaning is essential for keeping your oral health in tip-top shape. Dental cleanings are accessible to all patients, covered by most insurances, and low cost. During a cleaning, the dentist scrapes off plaque and tartar so they don’t turn into bigger problems, like cavities or gum disease. Most of the time, you shouldn’t feel any pain after teeth cleaning.
However, if you might feel a little pain, have discomfort, or mild sensitivity. Don’t worry—it’s totally normal! Here’s why it happens and what you can do about it.
Why Do You Experience Pain After Teeth Cleaning?
A lot of our patients in Washington ask if there would be pain after a teeth cleaning. The quick answer? Not really. But it’s common to feel a little discomfort afterward. Here’s why:
Gum Inflammation
When the dentist removes plaque and tartar, your gums can get a little irritated—especially if it’s been a while since your last cleaning. If there was a lot of buildup, your gums might swell up or feel tender. But this should go away in a few days as your gums heal.
Exposed Dentin
Your teeth have three main layers—enamel (the hard outer shell), dentin (the softer layer underneath), and the pulp (where the nerves are). If you had a lot of tartar, it might have been covering up parts of your teeth.
Once the dentist removes it, those areas might feel more sensitive. That’s why eating ice cream or drinking cold water might sting a little right after a cleaning.
Existing Tooth Sensitivity
If your teeth were already sensitive, a cleaning might make them feel even worse for a bit. This is more common if you have thin enamel, receding gums, or if hot and cold foods already bother you. That’s why regular checkups are important—your dentist can spot any problems early.
Gum Recession
Gum recession happens when your gums pull back from your teeth, exposing the root. Unlike the top of your teeth (which have a protective enamel layer), the roots don’t have much defense, so they’re more sensitive.
This can happen from brushing too hard, gum disease, or just genetics. If tartar was covering those exposed roots before and now it’s gone, your teeth might feel extra sensitive after a cleaning.
You Got Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Teeth Cleaning)
A deep cleaning goes “deeper” than a regular cleaning—it removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline to treat or prevent gum disease. Since it involves cleaning areas that aren’t usually touched, it can cause temporary sensitivity and soreness. Here’s why you might feel pain after:
- Gum Soreness & Inflammation: Your gums might be tender because the dentist removed bacteria and tartar buildup from deep pockets around your teeth.
- Exposed Tooth Roots: If tartar was covering part of your teeth, removing it can leave exposed dentin, which makes teeth more sensitive to hot, cold, or sugary foods.
- Mild Bleeding or Swelling: Some swelling or light bleeding is common after deep cleaning, but it should go away within a few days.
Jaw Discomfort: If your cleaning took a while, you might feel some soreness from keeping your mouth open for an extended period.
Still Have Pain After Teeth Cleaning After a Week? Here’s What to Do
If your teeth are still hurting after a whole week, that’s not super common. If the pain is really bad or your gums are bleeding, it’s best to get emergency dental care ASAP. But if it’s just mild discomfort, try these home remedies:
Warm Saltwater Rinses: Mix half a teaspoon of salt in warm water and rinse your mouth a few times a day. This helps with inflammation and healing.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen (like Advil or Tylenol) can help with pain and swelling. Just make sure to follow the dosage instructions.
Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse: Mix equal parts of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water, swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit it out (DON’T swallow it). This can kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.
Clove Oil Application: Clove oil has a natural numbing effect. Dab a little diluted clove oil onto a cotton ball and place it on the sore area for temporary relief.
Peppermint Tea Bags: Peppermint has numbing properties. After making tea, let the bag cool a bit and place it on the sensitive area for a while.
Best Food to Eat To Help Relieve Pain After Teeth Cleaning
After a teeth cleaning, your gums and teeth might feel a little sensitive, so it’s best to stick to foods that are soft, easy to chew, and gentle on your mouth.
Choosing the right foods can also help reduce irritation, support healing, and prevent unnecessary pain. Here’s a breakdown of why these foods are great choices after a cleaning:
Soft, Easy-to-Chew Foods
These foods require little to no chewing, which prevents irritation to your gums and avoids putting pressure on sensitive teeth.
- Mashed potatoes: Soft, warm (not hot), and packed with energy to keep you full.
- Yogurt: Smooth and cool, which can soothe your gums. Plus, it contains probiotics that promote good oral health.
- Scrambled eggs: Easy to chew, full of protein, and gentle on your teeth.
- Smoothies: A great way to get nutrients without chewing, but avoid citrus fruits (like oranges) since they’re acidic and can make sensitivity worse.
- Soups (not too hot!): Provides warmth and comfort without requiring much chewing. Stick to broth-based soups or blended ones like tomato soup.
Foods That Are Gentle on Sensitive Teeth
Since your teeth may be a little sensitive after cleaning, it’s best to eat foods that won’t trigger discomfort.
- Soft rice: Fills you up without being hard on your teeth.
- Bananas: Naturally soft and non-acidic, so they won’t irritate your teeth or gums.
- Pasta: Cooked pasta is soft and easy to eat, just avoid spicy or acidic sauces like marinara.
- Oatmeal: Warm, soft, and full of fiber, making it easy to eat and good for your overall health.
Nutrient-Packed Foods for Oral Health
Eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals can help your gums heal and keep your teeth strong.
- Soft fruits like melons and berries: Provide vitamins and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation.
- Steamed veggies: Cooking vegetables makes them softer while still giving you essential vitamins.
- Cottage cheese: Packed with calcium and protein to help keep your teeth strong.
- Leafy greens (like spinach and kale): Full of vitamins A and C, which help keep your gums healthy.
Lean proteins (like fish or chicken): Important for tissue repair and healing.
What NOT to Eat So You Can Avoid Pain After Teeth Cleaning
After a dental cleaning, your teeth and gums might be a little sensitive. Some foods can make this worse by causing irritation, increasing sensitivity, or even staining your freshly cleaned teeth. Here’s a breakdown of the foods you should avoid and why:
Sticky or Chewy Foods
These can get stuck in your teeth and gums, making them harder to clean and potentially causing irritation.
- Caramel: Super sticky and full of sugar, which can cling to teeth and cause bacteria buildup.
- Gummy candies: Hard to chew and easily stuck between teeth, increasing the risk of cavities.
- Dried fruits: Seems healthy but are sticky and high in natural sugars, making them just as bad as candy.
- Taffy: Extremely chewy and can pull at sensitive gums.
- Beef jerky: Tough to chew and can irritate gums or get stuck between teeth.
Spicy or Acidic Foods
Acidic foods weaken enamel and can make teeth more sensitive, while spicy foods may irritate sore gums.
- Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruits): Highly acidic and can make sensitive teeth even worse.
- Tomatoes: Another acidic food that can trigger sensitivity.
- Pickles: Vinegar-based, which makes them super acidic and rough on your teeth.
- Soda: Not only acidic but also full of sugar, which can harm your teeth.
- Wine: Both red and white wine are acidic and can weaken enamel.
- Coffee: Acidic and can also stain your freshly cleaned teeth.
Pro Tip: If you do drink something acidic, rinse your mouth with water afterward to neutralize the acid!
Hard or Crunchy Foods
These require a lot of chewing, which can be painful if your gums are sore. They can also scrape against sensitive areas.
- Nuts: Hard to chew and can put pressure on sensitive teeth.
- Popcorn: Kernels can get stuck in your gums, causing irritation.
- Chips: Crunchy and can break into sharp pieces that poke at sore gums.
- Raw vegetables (like carrots): Tough to bite into and can cause discomfort.
- Pretzels: Hard and can scratch up your gums.
Foods That Are Too Hot or Too Cold
Extreme temperatures can make sensitive teeth feel even worse.
- Ice-cold drinks or ice cream: Can trigger sharp pain in sensitive teeth.
- Piping hot soups or drinks: Can cause discomfort and make gums feel more irritated.
Pro Tip: Stick to lukewarm or room-temperature foods and drinks for the first 24-48 hours.
Foods & Drinks That Can Stain Your Teeth
Your teeth are more porous right after a cleaning, making them more likely to absorb stains.
- Coffee: A major culprit for staining teeth.
- Tea: Just like coffee, tea can leave stains over time.
- Red wine: Known for staining teeth quickly.
- Dark berries (like blueberries, blackberries, raspberries): Their deep pigments can leave behind stains.
- Beets: One of the worst foods for staining.
- Soy sauce: Has dark coloring that can stain your teeth.
Pro Tip: If you drink something dark, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth!
Key Takeaways
The best way to ensure you don’t get any pain or discomfort after your teeth cleaning is to get cleaning tailored to your specific needs.
That’s exactly what we offer our Washington patients at btyDENTAL. Book a cleaning with us today and get a smile that’s better than yesterday!
