My gum hurts 2 weeks after having a bloody dental cleaning. What do you think is wrong?

Question

I have my teeth cleaned every 6 months faithfully. I floss and I brush my teeth at least 2 times a day with Crest. I went to the dental hygeinist 2 weeks ago and she was scraping away. She was digging at my back teeth and telling me she thought maybe it was a problem with a groove in my teeth. The cleaning took about 1 hour. Finally, she quit and now the gum around my very back tooth on the right side will not quit hurting. Its raw and is starting to hurt up into the roof of my mouth. What is wrong? Should I go get treatment. Last time I had any dental work by this particular dentist, he made fun of me and didnt believe he was hurting me during a filling. I am a tough old bird and have had a lot of dental work by another dentist, but moved and this one is covered on my insurance. I cannot chew food on the r side of my back teeth.

Answer 1

Hmmmmm. I'm a hygienist and I'm trying to think what may be a reason for your pain. Possibly you have a traumatic ulcer in the area where the scaling was most vigorous. They can take up to 10 days or so to heal. I've had my teeth cleaned by some aggressive hygienists and yes, it can be very tender for a few days......but 2 weeks!. Try to use warm salt water rinses. Just 1-2 tsp. of salt to 4-6oz. of warm water. You could also try using a paste of salt, baking soda and peroxide to brush with. Just a pinch of salt, and make it like a thick paste that will stay on the brush. Try brushing with that for a few days. Make sure you are using a soft brush. When you floss make sure you are making a "c" shape around the backside of the last molar and also the front side. Sometimes people come straight down and don't curve the floss around the tooth which, causes a cleft in the tissues. You may want to call the dentist and ask for a prescription of Chlorhexedine to rinse with. It will kill bacteria and allow for healing. I know it is difficult when it hurts, but the important thing is to keep the area very clean to allow the healing to occur. If you "baby" the area to much, you may be leaving too much plaque/bacteria in the area. I am not sure by reading your question if you have periodontal disease or not. If you have really deep pockets, they may be what is causing the pain. Keep it clean, deep as you can in the gum. You may want to see a gum specialist for a second opinion. Good luck

Answer 2

NO, not to wake up with a mouthful of blood-pain, yes, blood no. Call the dentist-or, call another dentist and explain what happened. Either way, make sure you are brushing and flossing-your gums will bleed until you clear it up.