What Happens During Deep Teeth Cleaning?
You have been told all your life that brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing is the way to keep your mouth healthy. On top of that, you should have at least two appointments a year with a dentist for an exam and professional cleaning. For some people, that is enough for them to maintain healthy teeth and gums. For other people, gum disease is not as easily thwarted and they need more thorough treatments. When the dentist has determined that you have gum disease that needs to be addressed before it gets worse, one of the options to help you get a healthier mouth is a deep cleaning.
Gum disease is a result of tartar and plaque that has built up on the teeth near the gums and below the gum line. The gum tissue becomes inflamed and swollen as a result of the present bacteria. The teeth are no longer snugly held in place by the gums and the pockets between the teeth and gums grow in size allowing a larger space for more bacteria to grow. At this point, the gums may be red or bleeding and the teeth can become loose and mobile. When the gum disease has progressed to this stage, you will not be able to address it at home or with a traditional dental cleaning.
Simply put, a deep teeth cleaning, or periodontal scaling and root planing, is a way to remove plaque, tartar and bacteria from the teeth at the gum line and below. Instead of just running the vacuum, it’s a steam cleaning. When the irritants are removed from the teeth, the gum inflammation will reduce and the space between the gums and the teeth will also decrease in size. The jaw bone tissue, the gums, and the teeth will be able to remain intact and will not be at risk for loss.
At your traditional dental cleanings, the dentist uses tools to clean the teeth above the gum line. During a traditional deep cleaning, the dentist uses tools to clean the teeth below the gum line. Most deep cleaning treatments are completed over the course of two appointments when the whole mouth needs gum scaling and root planing. Depending on your particular case of gum disease, the appointment can take an hour or two.
The dentist will start with a numbing treatment to keep you comfortable as the tools are working below your sensitive gum tissue. Then the dentist will use tools to remove the plaque and tartar from the teeth. You should not be uncomfortable during the appointment but you may find that your mouth is a bit sore the same day, but the irritation should be gone by the next day. Following the treatment, the dentist may recommend an oral antibiotic, an antibiotic oral rinse or even a topical treatment for your gums. Be sure to follow all the aftercare instructions and you should not have to return for another deep cleaning.