Introduction to Deep Dental Cleaning

Deep dental cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is a procedure that goes beyond regular cleaning to treat gum disease and improve oral health.

It involves removing bacteria colonies and tartar from the roots of the teeth.

Regular cleaning focuses more on the gum line to scale and polish the teeth’ outer surface. However, deep cleaning involves removing plaque and tartar from below the gumline. 

This procedure is necessary when gum disease causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating a space greater than 5 millimeters (mm) deep. If gum disease worsens, the space between your gums and teeth can continue to widen, weakening the bones that support your teeth, causing loose teeth or tooth loss.

Deep dental cleaning is an essential part of oral health maintenance. It not only treats current infections but also promotes healing and prevents the advancement of gum disease. It’s important to understand the difference between regular cleaning and deep cleaning to ensure you’re receiving the appropriate dental care for your needs.

Also Read: Cavity Filling: Everything You Need to Know to Prevent Tooth Damage

Understanding Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a serious infection that damages the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. 

It starts with bacterial plaque, a sticky film that forms on teeth when food particles mix with saliva. If plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar, which can spread below the gum line and make the teeth harder to clean.

Signs of periodontal disease include:

• Reddish or purplish gums, swollen gums
• Gums that bleed easily
• Bad breath
• Pus around your gum line
• Loose teeth, tooth loss
• Gum recession
• Pain when chewing
• New gaps or spaces between your teeth
• And changes in the way your teeth fit together.

The impact of periodontal disease on oral health is significant. It can lead to pain, persistent bad breath, chewing difficulties, and even tooth loss. Moreover, periodontitis can affect the patient’s quality of life.

Deep dental cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, plays a crucial role in managing and preventing the progression of gum disease. This procedure involves removing plaque and tartar from below the gumline, addressing the early stages of gum disease and preventing its progression. Deep cleaning stops the advancement of gum disease, treats the current infection, promotes healing, cleans your teeth above and below the gumline, eliminates bad breath caused by gum disease, and protects the roots of your teeth.

The Deep Cleaning Process

Deep dental cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is a comprehensive procedure that involves several steps:

Scaling: This is the first step in the deep cleaning process. Your dentist or dental hygienist will use special dental tools, such as a scaler or an ultrasonic device, to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and below the gum line. This process can be performed manually or using ultrasonic instruments.

Root Planing: This is the second step of the procedure. Root planing involves smoothing the root surfaces of your teeth to prevent bacteria, plaque, and tartar from re-adhering underneath the gum line once the scaling process is complete.

Aftercare and Follow-Up: After the procedure, your dentist will provide you with instructions on how to care for your teeth and gums. This may include recommendations for improving your oral hygiene routine, scheduling follow-up visits, and possibly antibiotic treatments to help control bacterial infection.

The deep cleaning process is more intricate and time-consuming compared to a regular dental cleaning visit. It’s beneficial for individuals with periodontal disease as it prevents disease progression, tooth loss, and reduces the risk of cavities and bad breath.

In terms of technology, advancements like ultrasonic scalers have made the deep cleaning process more efficient and comfortable for patients. Ultrasonic scalers use sound waves to break up plaque and tartar, making it easier to remove these substances from the teeth and gum line.

Also Read: How Long Do Dental Sealants Last? Unveiling the Truth

Identifying Candidates for Deep Cleaning

Dentists determine the need for deep cleaning through comprehensive periodontal evaluations. This includes a clinical exam, periodontal probing (a measurement around each tooth), and digital x-rays to look at the bone levels and shape. 

Signs that you might need a deep cleaning include bleeding gums, receding gums, and loose teeth. If a regular tooth brushing routine isn’t followed, or if you have a genetic predisposition to gum disease, your gums may show signs of gingivitis – red, swollen gums that bleed easily when touched or when brushing. If left untreated, this can result in periodontal disease, an infection of the gum and bone that support your teeth which can lead to eventual tooth loss.

To determine if the infection exists, x-rays and pocket depth charting is taken into consideration. When there is evidence of this infection, the need for a deep cleaning is required with the goal to prevent disease progression. 

Pocket depth measurements play a crucial role in diagnosing periodontal disease. In a healthy mouth, the pocket depth is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters (mm). 

Pockets deeper than 4 mm may indicate periodontitis. 

Pockets deeper than 5 mm cannot be cleaned well with routine care. 

By measuring the pocket depth around each tooth, dentists can often diagnose periodontal disease in the earliest stages and keep your smile healthy. As part of regular dental checkups twice a year, the dentist will measure and compare the pocket depths to see if gum health is improving, maintaining, or getting worse.

In the next section, we will discuss the benefits of deep dental cleaning and its impact on oral health.

Benefits of Deep Dental Cleaning

Deep dental cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, offers numerous benefits for both immediate and long-term oral health:

Gum Health: Deep cleaning stops the advancement of gum disease, treats current infections, and promotes healing. It cleans your teeth above and below the gumline, eliminating bad breath caused by gum disease and protecting the roots of your teeth.

Overall Oral Hygiene: Deep cleaning can remove a buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth, reducing gum inflammation and improving gum health. This procedure is necessary when gum disease causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating a space greater than 5 millimeters (mm) deep.

Despite the benefits, there are some common misconceptions about deep cleaning. 

Some people believe that deep cleaning can cause nerve damage, but this is highly unlikely as the nerves are located deep within the center pulp of the tooth and are not reachable even if all your gum were to disappear magically. 

Another misconception is that deep cleaning is always expensive, but the cost can vary depending on several factors. It’s important to understand that deep cleaning is a safe and effective procedure when performed by a professional dental team.

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Dental Sealants: Protection Against Decay

Aftercare and Maintenance

After a deep cleaning procedure, it’s important to follow certain care tips to ensure the longevity of the treatment’s benefits:

Oral Hygiene: Maintain a thorough oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice daily, using a toothbrush with soft bristles, and rinsing with warm salt water every hour or two.

Diet: Eat a small meal before the procedure and stick to soft foods for a few days after the procedure.

Pain Management: Use over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil for minor pain and swelling, and an ice pack can relieve pain and swelling.

Regular dental check-ups and cleanings play a crucial role in maintaining oral health post-deep cleaning. Through thorough cleaning, plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, are removed, reducing the risk of further complications. By taking proactive measures during check-ups, dentists can help patients avoid more invasive and costly treatments in the future.

Why Choose SmileStudio for Your Deep Dental Cleaning

SmileStudio is a leading choice for deep dental cleaning due to its commitment to expertise, advanced technology, and customized care:

Expertise: SmileStudio’s team of experienced healthcare professionals provides comprehensive evaluations to determine the best course of action for each patient. They understand the importance of personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs.

Technology: SmileStudio is at the forefront of dental technology, utilizing advanced systems for efficient and effective treatments. This technology allows for the design, fabrication, and placement of your crown in a single visit, revolutionizing the dental cap procedure.

Patient Care Approach: SmileStudio places a person and their social well-being at the center of decision-making. They understand factors spent outside the clinical settings, including individual behavior, context, and lifestyle. This patient-centered approach to dentistry is the only way forward to satisfy what all dental patients are looking for.

Addressing periodontal disease with professional deep cleaning is of utmost importance. Deep cleaning stops the advancement of gum disease, treats the current infection, promotes healing, cleans your teeth above and below the gum line, eliminates bad breath caused by gum disease, and protects the roots of your teeth. Despite the benefits, there are some common misconceptions about deep cleaning. It’s important to understand that deep cleaning is a safe and effective procedure when performed by a professional dental team.

We encourage you to schedule a consultation with SmileStudio for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan. Choosing SmileStudio for your deep dental cleaning means choosing a dental practice that values your individual needs, utilizes the latest technology, and has a proven record of patient satisfaction. Contact SmileStudio today to start your journey towards better oral health.

FAQs

1. Is dental deep cleaning painful?

Dental deep cleaning may cause some discomfort or mild pain during the procedure, especially if gums are sensitive or inflamed. However, patients usually experience less pain during subsequent visits. To prevent pain during the procedure, dentists usually apply a local anesthetic to numb your gums. Pain and sensitivity are the most common side effects.

2. What is a deep clean for dentists?

A deep clean, also known as scaling and root planing, is a comprehensive dental procedure designed to address issues lurking beneath the surface, where toothbrushes and floss may not reach. It involves using a special tool called a curette to scrape tartar from below the gumline. Root planing actually smoothes down the tooth root to help the gums reattach to the tooth.

3. How long does it take for gums to heal after deep cleaning?

Patients usually have some mild to moderate pain and sensitivity for the first day or two, along with a small amount of bleeding. Within a week the gums will start to heal and reattach to the roots of the teeth. Full recovery and reattachment can take up to 6 or 8 weeks, but patients are usually back to normal eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing within the first week.

4. What is the difference between dental cleaning and deep cleaning?

Regular dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar from above the gumline. A deep cleaning, on the other hand, removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline. Deep cleaning is necessary when gum disease causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating a space greater than 5 millimeters (mm) deep.

5. Can I eat after deep cleaning?

After the deep cleaning procedure, when your mouth is still numb and the local anesthetic is wearing off, it’s important that you refrain from eating. Eating while numb can increase the chances of you biting your cheeks or tongue and disrupting the healing process. Once the numbness wears off and you can feel your tongue and lips again, you can eat!

6. Can teeth fall out after deep cleaning?

Deep cleaning is a common dental procedure that will not cause your teeth to become loose and certainly won’t lead to them falling out. On the contrary, a deep cleaning is instrumental in stopping the progression of gum disease and restoring your gums to health. In spite of that increased feeling of looseness, removing the plaque and tartar buildup helps your gums and roots to reattach to your teeth, creating better oral health for you.