Dentists and hygienists are skillfully trained to clean teeth without causing any pain. Your child’s dental cleaning should not hurt if you help them brush and floss daily, visit the dentist regularly, and if they have healthy teeth and gums. However, unhealthy gums can become very sensitive and may even hurt or bleed during a dental cleaning. To ensure a pain-free experience, ask about using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) during cleaning and you or your child will not feel a thing.