cleaning concern

[suszy123456789]

i have had a regular cleaning and my teeth feel painful and sensitive to touch. i also feel my bite is off because when i bite down i am hitting teeth i never used to. i do not want to go back to the dentist,i am just asking what you feel as a dr. what could be going on here,i was feeling maybe when she polished the teeth being that she was new she used the wrong instrument,is that possible and would this cause this discomfort? if so what do you do from this point on to get better?please answer, my teeth are really bothering me and please do not tell me to visit the dentist,just looking for your professional advice!!!! thank you! it has been 6 days so far

[suszy123456789]

dr.,now i rinsed my mouth with straight hydrogen peroxide thinking that would help and my gums and tongue burn,do i need to contact my dentist or will this pass? i am just trying to get my tooth better......

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

You had a root canal done on the front tooth already?  From reading your question, it seems that there was no root canal done at all.  

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

I've had a patient come back once after a cleaning and she couldn't open her jaw very wide and she was getting pain in the TMJ area.  I told her to take some anti-inflammatories, stretching exercises, soft diet and to ice it once in awhile to relieve the area and she came back a week or so later with no problems.  I think she was open too wide for too long during her cleaning.  I haven't had anything similar to what you're experiencing.  I would try to be patient and see how it progresses at this point.  There's no need to do anything if its not worsening at this time.  I would take a wait and see approach because you don't want treatment on something that'll heal up on its own.

[suszy123456789]

yes,advil,my bite still feels off a little,it feels like my back teeth were shortened some how!!!!!!!!!!!!!but i never had any problems with tmj or my bite before. i may never find out what is wrong,i am very upset and the worst part is i nor my dentist at this point knows what is going on. that's why i thought maybe you might have an idea!how about an infection in and under the gums,but my gums arn't red or swollen? have you ever heard of this type of situation after a cleaning? does tmj just come on someone with out any symptoms through the yrs.? dr. i want to thank you for all the time you have spent writing back,i know your very busy!

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

When I say heat, usually its more of a result of drilling than polishing.  That's part of the reason why we use water with our drills to cool it off due to the heat from friction.  Yes, injury from heat like anything else can be reversible.  

I'm sorry you're confused.  I understand your frustration because there's nothing obviously wrong with your tooth (like it broke or a big cavity) but its hurting you.  Have you tried taking any anti-inflammatories such as Motrin/Ibuprofen or Tylenol?  Does your bite feel off anymore?  

[suszy123456789]

ALSO YOU MENTIONED HEAT,CAN THAT CAUSE A NERVE TO DIE,I REMEMBER YOU SAID THE POLISHERS GET HOT AND CAN HURT THE TOOTH DURING A CLEANING! WHAT KIND OF HURT DOES IT CAUSE? IS IT REVERSABLE?