Sensitivity After a Hygiene Appointment
Teeth may feel sensitive for a short time after cleaning, one NHS leaflet says; another says sensitivity as gums shrink after deep cleaning often gets better after a few weeks, but you might need special sensitive toothpaste. This page explains why and what may help. See a dentist if pain is severe or sudden, only one tooth is affected, or sensitivity lasts more than a few weeks.
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Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, dentist · GDC 301711
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, principal dentist at Deepcar Dental Care, reviewed this page. He is a General Dental Practitioner, GDC 301711.
Why can teeth feel sensitive after a hygiene appointment?
Scaling can make teeth sensitive, says a Leicester's Hospitals NHS gum disease leaflet, describing removal of plaque, calculus and debris above the gum line.
Around 50% of patients may experience increased dentine sensitivity following professional plaque removal, especially those with sensitive teeth before treatment, Scottish dental guidance (SDCEP) says. Its term includes what was called scale and polish, but the review behind the figure concluded this for scaling and root planing below the gums, on scarce evidence from only two studies.
A tooth is built from enamel, dentine and pulp. Dentine has tiny channels linked to the nerve. If enamel wears away, or gums shrink back, dentine becomes exposed, the Oral Health Foundation explains, making it easier for heat, cold or sweetness to reach the nerve and cause pain.
After gum treatment, recession or exposed root surfaces can happen, and exposed root dentine, lacking cementum, becomes susceptible to sensitivity, Indian Society of Periodontology recommendations say. They add that pain in teeth that were probably symptom-free before treatment may lead patients to misread a successful result.
Our page on receding gums covers why gums recede, and our dental hygiene section covers professional hygiene appointments.
How long does sensitivity last after a hygiene appointment?
Teeth may feel sensitive for a short time afterwards, a King's College Hospital NHS leaflet on teeth cleaning says.
The sources that give timings are about gum treatment:
- After deep cleaning, as your gums shrink: teeth may become sensitive to hot, cold or sweet things. This often gets better after a few weeks, but you might need special sensitive toothpaste (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust).
- Below the gums, after scaling and root planing: a 2002 systematic review found, from scarce evidence (only two studies), that the intensity of root sensitivity increased 1 to 3 weeks after therapy, after which it decreased.
In a 2012 systematic review of surgical and non-surgical gum treatment, most studies would tend to suggest sensitivity may be relatively mild or moderate and transient. Reported pain lasted from a few days to a few years depending on study type, generally under 2 months in clinical studies, and the authors call their evidence not very robust.
These sources give no figure for a routine clean. See a dentist if sensitivity lasts more than a few weeks.
What helps sensitive teeth after a hygiene appointment?
At-home treatments such as desensitising toothpaste should be tried initially, SDCEP says, in a conditional recommendation on low certainty evidence. For sensitive teeth generally, the Oral Health Foundation advises:
- Use a soft toothbrush and brush gently, with small circular movements.
- Spit out after brushing but do not rinse with water.
- Wait at least 1 hour after eating or drinking acidic foods before brushing.
Keep cleaning: SDCEP stresses the importance of plaque-free dentine for a desensitising agent to be effective, and advises reducing acidic food and drinks. Show a dentist any sensitivity that worries you.
Questions about this treatment? Book online or call the practice.
Do desensitising toothpastes work after a hygiene appointment?
There is some low to moderate quality evidence that these toothpastes work for general sensitivity, but its applicability after professional cleaning is unclear, SDCEP says.
For general sensitivity, the Oral Health Foundation names toothpastes containing potassium citrate, potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride, and says to keep using them to maintain the effect.
A 2006 Cochrane review, based on a small number of individuals with dentine hypersensitivity, found a statistically significant effect of 5% potassium nitrate toothpaste on air blast and tactile tests at 6 to 8 weeks, but not on subjective assessment, and concluded no clear evidence supports potassium toothpastes.
After scaling, a Leicester's Hospitals gum disease leaflet suggests rubbing a small amount of fluoride toothpaste into the roots of sensitive teeth, spitting out the extra and not rinsing; doing this over several months, it says, will make teeth harder and less sensitive. If sensitivity lasts more than a few weeks, see a dentist.
What does guidance say about professional treatment for persistent sensitivity?
In general, professionally applied desensitising agents are used for persistent sensitivity, after at-home treatments, SDCEP says, in a conditional recommendation on low certainty evidence.
It says the efficacy of various dental team treatments for sensitivity caused by professional cleaning is unclear, although there is some evidence of a benefit for general dentine sensitivity, of low to moderate certainty. Speak to a dentist if sensitivity persists.
When should you see a dentist about sensitive teeth?
See a dentist in four situations, the Oral Health Foundation advises, as these could be signs of decay, a cracked tooth, gum problems or infection:
- The pain is severe.
- Sensitivity lasts more than a few weeks.
- Only one tooth is affected.
- The pain comes on suddenly.
Tooth pain can also be caused by having sensitive teeth, the NHS says. For toothache it gives the actions below. To see a dentist in an emergency or out of hours, call your dentist. If you do not have a dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment, call 111 or visit 111 online.
- Toothache that lasts more than 2 days, does not go away when you take painkillers, or comes with a high temperature, pain when you bite, red gums, a bad taste in your mouth or a swollen cheek or jaw: see a dentist. Do not go to your GP, as they will not be able to give you dental treatment.
- Toothache with swelling around your eye or neck, or swelling in your mouth or neck that makes it difficult to breathe, swallow or speak: go to A&E. Do not drive to A&E: ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance. Bring any medicines you take with you.
Frequently asked questions
Should sensitivity put you off your next hygiene appointment?
No. After cleaning below the gums, Bristol Dental School's leaflet says to mention sensitivity to the dental professional at your review or a future appointment, as they can recommend toothpastes that can help. SDCEP also asks dental teams to explain before gum treatment that teeth may become sensitive. Show a dentist any sensitivity that worries you.
Can you lower the chance of sensitivity before a hygiene appointment?
Good oral hygiene may help: a 2015 narrative review says low plaque scores before non-surgical gum treatment have been shown to decrease root sensitivity. Teeth that tend to be sensitive to hot and cold may be more sensitive after cleaning, says a Kent NHS trust leaflet on deep scaling. Show a dentist any sensitivity that worries you.
Is sensitivity more likely after a deep clean?
It can be. A 2012 review reports one study finding greater prevalence after scaling below the gum line than above it, and a second supporting this, though its evidence is not very robust. Show a dentist any sensitivity that worries you. Our guide to what is normal after deep cleaning covers recovery.
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Desensitising treatment is available at Deepcar Dental Care, 334 Manchester Road, Deepcar, Sheffield, S36 2RH.
More recovery guides are among the options in this section.
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