Teeth Deep Cleaning: When You Need It And How It Is Done
Dental experts recommend that you have your teeth professionally cleaned at least bi-annually to remove stubborn plaque on the gum line and tooth enamel, which is the main cause of gum disease and cavities. During routine professional cleanings, your dentist will usually scrub off tartar before washing your mouth with antimicrobial rinses that ensure your gums, tongue and teeth remain free of bacteria.
In some cases however, routine, professional cleaning may not be enough to prevent the onset of gum disease, especially if your periodontal health has already deteriorated due to poor dental hygiene, requiring deep cleaning.
What is deep cleaning?
Deep cleaning involves the removal of larger amounts of tartar on the gums, tooth surface and along the roots. This procedure is usually recommended when patients already exhibit signs of progressive gum disease, which may include bleeding and inflammation in the gums. In such cases, preventive cleaning wouldn't be enough to stop the progression of gum disease, so deep cleaning is usually recommended.
Dentists usually examine the spaces between the gums and teeth during preventive cleaning. These spaces should be within the range of 1-3 mm, with no bleeding around the gums. Should the space fall below this range, that indicates the onset of gum disease, and deep cleaning is usually required.
How is deep cleaning done?
This dental cleaning procedure is one of the most common dental hygiene services designed to proactively treat progressive gum disease, and it involves scaling and root planning.
Scaling involves the thorough removal of hardened plaque at and below the gum line. This cleaning resembles regular preventive cleaning, but it is more intense so as to reach below the gums and eliminate stubborn bacteria that are responsible for gum disease. For this reason, your teeth and gums may be numbed during cleaning to ensure your comfort.
The second step of deep cleaning is called root planning, which essentially involves the careful cleaning of the roots' surfaces. Dentists remove tartar from the teeth roots and smooth out bumpy spots that could trap food debris and contribute to tartar buildup.
Scalers and ultrasonic cleaners are often used for root planning, although some dentists may use a laser to remove tartar and plaque. The procedure is intense, so numbing gel is usually used to keep you comfortable through the cleaning.
Once the entire deep cleaning procedure is completed, your dentist will usually schedule several months of periodontal maintenance cleaning, where the state of your gingivitis will be evaluated and oral health monitored.
Deep cleaning is usually the first line of defense against gingivitis, and it can help stop and reverse gum inflammation, preventing eventual tooth loss.
Share