Dr Michael Smith D.M.D.

Gum Therapy: All You Need to Know About Teeth Deep Cleaning

Taking care of teeth and gums means more than just flossing and brushing. For a comprehensive care, it is advisable that you visit a dentist every 6 months for professional cleaning and regular checkup. That said and done, you made your appointment and now you’re in the dentist’s chair. After a few minutes of mouth examination, your dentist reports the somewhat disturbing news that your gums are in bad shape and you will need an invasive-sounding procedure, popularly known as deep cleaning.

While you are wondering whether the procedure is necessary, you still do not know what it means. This article sheds some light on some of the grey areas you did not know about this procedure, and in the end, you will have a better understanding of your gum health.

What is a dental deep cleaning?

Deep cleaning (also known as root planing or scaling) is a procedure that involves removing tartar and plaque from the pocket area between the gums and teeth or the teeth surface. The pocket is typically the depth of the gum tissue between the gums and teeth. A dentist can perform root planning or scaling using manual scaling tools or electronic & ultrasonic instruments.

For root planning, the dental hygienist often uses special scaling instruments to remove tartar and plaque from the roots and surface of the teeth. For the procedure to be complete, the dentist must smooth out the rough spots on the roots to avoid collection of bacteria, which may have contributed to gum disease. This gives the gums a smoother surface to re-attach. Both procedures require a patient to make at least two visits to the dentist. Perhaps the second visit is a follow-up to check if the teeth and gums are getting healthier and that there are no more pockets.

When is deep cleaning recommended?

If your dentist thinks that your oral care is not good enough to manage mild cases of gum-related diseases like gingivitis, a deep cleaning may be recommended as the ultimate therapy. Experts in this field agree that this procedure is the first line of treatment or defense for a more severe form of gum diseases like periodontitis. Putting it in simple terms, deep cleaning helps people avoid more extreme treatments for advanced gum diseases, which would lead to tooth loss if left untreated. We recommend seeing help from orthodonistemontreal.com/en or similar dentistries near you for guidance.

Teeth deep cleaning pros

You know that going to the dentist is an essential part of your dental hygiene and health. Nevertheless, did you know that deep cleaning your teeth with your dentist is equally important? Of course, the main objective of this procedure is to remove tartar and plaque from the teeth and pocket area. However, there are many other benefits, which include the following:

  • Better oral and gum health
  • Whiter teeth for a brighter smile
  • It removes bacteria and prevents gum/oral diseases

What is the recommended care after teeth deep cleaning?

Just like any other dental invasive-sounding procedure, patients may experience tooth sensitivity, soreness, or even bleeding for a couple of days after root planing and scaling. If these side effects continue for an extended period, do not hesitate to see your dentist. If you’re in the North Carolina area and feel you need to see you dentist quickly, it could be worth contacting the top-rated emergency dentist in Raleigh. Be sure to schedule (and keep!) follow-up appointments so the dentist can monitor the healing process of the gums or depth of periodontal pockets. You should also observe everyday oral hygiene such as brushing teeth twice a day using antimicrobial toothpaste.