Can toothache be treated with dental cleaning?
My toothache has been severe lately, and my gums are also swollen. I was thinking of getting a dental cleaning to see if it might help relieve the pain. I just wanted to ask, is it okay to get a dental cleaning when experiencing toothache?
Doctor's answer (1)
Whether teeth cleaning is advisable for toothache depends on the specific circumstances. If the toothache is caused by plaque and tartar buildup, teeth cleaning is usually appropriate. However, if the pain results from other oral diseases, teeth cleaning may not be suitable.
Dental cleaning is a process of removing harmful substances such as plaque, tartar, and pigmentation from the tooth surfaces and beneath the gumline, which helps prevent and treat periodontal diseases. If tooth pain is caused by gingivitis or periodontitis due to plaque and tartar accumulation, dental cleaning is generally recommended. Cleaning the teeth can remove plaque and tartar, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain.
However, if the toothache originates from internal dental issues such as dental caries, pulpitis, or apical periodontitis, teeth cleaning will not directly resolve these problems and may actually exacerbate the pain due to irritation during the cleaning process. In such cases, more specialized dental treatments, such as fillings or root canal therapy, should be performed under the guidance of a dentist.
In daily life, it is recommended to maintain good oral hygiene habits, undergo regular dental checkups and cleanings, which can help prevent toothaches and periodontal diseases.
