I hear this question often at our Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City clinics, usually from patients who’ve had a bad experience elsewhere or are nervous about their first cleaning. After treating patients from 65 nationalities over the past decade, I can give you an honest assessment of what to expect.
Temporary Sensitivity Is the Most Common Issue
The most frequent complaint I hear is tooth sensitivity after cleaning, particularly to cold temperatures. This happens because we remove the tartar layer that may have been insulating your teeth. Think of it like removing a protective coating.
This sensitivity typically lasts one to three days. At our Da Nang clinic, I recommend patients avoid very hot or cold foods for 48 hours after their appointment. If you have naturally sensitive teeth, let me know beforehand so we can use desensitizing paste during your cleaning.
In my experience, patients who get regular cleanings every six months rarely experience this sensitivity. It’s usually those who’ve gone years without professional care who notice more discomfort afterward.
Gum Tenderness After Deep Cleanings
Your gums might feel sore or bleed slightly for a day or two, especially if you had significant plaque and tartar buildup. This isn’t damage from the cleaning itself. Your gums were already inflamed from bacteria, and the cleaning exposed that inflammation.
I tell patients this is actually a sign the cleaning was necessary. We’re removing the source of infection. At our Da Lat clinic, I compare it to cleaning a wound. It might sting temporarily, but you’re preventing a bigger problem.
If you maintain good home care between visits, this tenderness decreases with each cleaning. The healthier your gums become, the more comfortable future cleanings feel.
Rare Risks With Improper Technique
When done incorrectly, teeth cleaning can potentially damage enamel or harm gum tissue. I’ve seen patients come to Picasso Dental Clinic after experiencing rough treatment elsewhere. Aggressive scaling with metal instruments can scratch enamel or push gums back.
This is why technique and experience matter. Our hygienists use appropriate pressure and modern ultrasonic scalers that are gentler on teeth. In over a decade of practice, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen actual damage from professional cleaning done properly.
Some patients worry about enamel removal during polishing. The polishing paste we use removes only surface stains and microscopic amounts of enamel, far less than you lose from normal chewing and acidic foods.
Cost and Time Commitment
The practical disadvantages are cost and time. Professional cleanings typically take 30 to 60 minutes and need to be repeated every six months. I understand this can be inconvenient, especially for busy professionals.
At our clinics across Vietnam, we try to make scheduling flexible with early morning and evening appointments. The investment prevents much more expensive treatments later. I’ve seen countless patients spend thousands on crowns and root canals because they skipped routine cleanings.
Prevention is always cheaper than treatment. A cleaning every six months costs far less than treating advanced gum disease or multiple cavities.
What About People With Certain Health Conditions?
Patients with heart valve problems or artificial joints sometimes need antibiotics before dental cleanings. This adds a small extra step and cost. I always review medical history before any procedure.
Pregnant women can safely have teeth cleanings, but some prefer to wait until after the first trimester due to gag reflex sensitivity. We’re happy to accommodate individual comfort levels at any of our locations.
People taking blood thinners might experience slightly more bleeding during cleaning, but this isn’t dangerous. We simply apply gentle pressure and give gums extra time to stop bleeding.
If you have questions about teeth cleaning or want to discuss your specific concerns, I’m available at any of our Picasso Dental Clinic locations in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Lat.
