Professional regular dental cleaning is crucial for excellent dental health. In certain cases, a routine cleaning by a dental hygienist may not be sufficient. To restore the health of your gums, a deep dental cleaning may be necessary if bacteria have invaded below the gum line. This article goes into greater detail on deep cleaning, its importance on your dental health, and when it is necessary.

What is Deep Cleaning?

Deep cleaning is a therapeutic technique specifically designed to stop and prevent the progression of gum disease. They are designed to target tartar and plaque buildup in infected "periodontal pockets," which are located deep beneath the gum tissues. In contrast to prophylactic dental cleanings, periodontal scaling and root planning procedures specifically target infected regions using specialized tools or technologies.

Normally, deep teeth cleaning involves cleaning one quadrant of your oral cavity at a time, with one or two quadrants scheduled for each dental appointment. It is typical to receive comprehensive dental care for one-half of your oral cavity, then schedule a separate appointment for the other half about two weeks later.

Deep Cleaning Versus Regular Cleaning

During regular teeth cleaning sessions, a dental hygienist polishes and cleans the teeth above the gum line and gets rid of isolated pieces of plaque that form beneath the gum line. These measures are considered preventive since they assist in maintaining the health of your oral cavity. However, neglecting regular dental checkups and hygiene can result in plaque buildup beneath the gum line and subsequent infection of the gums. As such, dentists need to carry out thorough, deep cleaning.

Reasons to Get Deep Teeth Cleaning

If you're experiencing tissue detachment symptoms and active periodontal illness, you should get regular dental deep cleanings. This means that the gums are pulled away from the teeth while the bone recedes, resulting in the formation of deep "pockets" around the teeth. In addition, the surfaces of those teeth typically have a significant amount of tartar buildup.

The most severe type of gum disease is known as periodontitis. It is not treatable on its own, unlike gingivitis, so a dental professional should handle it. The first thing to do is to get rid of the bacteria that cause the infection from the plaque and tartar inside the periodontal pockets. The idea is to produce a clean zone in which bone loss can be prevented and the gums can reattach.

Signs And Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Developing gum disease starts with gingivitis and gets worse over time to become periodontal disease. Gingivitis causes minor symptoms such as redness, swelling, minor irritation, and bleeding, whereas periodontal infections are considerably more serious.

The following are some of the most common signs of periodontal disease:

  • Bleeding gums.
  • Swollen gums.
  • Tooth loss and mobility.
  • Recession of the gums.
  • Halitosis, or chronic foul breath.
  • Gaps between the teeth.
  • Buildup of tartar.
  • Food particles getting trapped between teeth or gums.
  • Periodontal pockets surrounding teeth.
  • A lack of bone.

A dentist can diagnose such signs and symptoms, including bone loss, tartar buildup on the root surfaces, and periodontal pockets. X-rays and advanced equipment can be utilized to assess the amount of damage as well as the categorization of gum illness.

If you smoke cigarettes or use tobacco products regularly, you might not suffer from the same symptoms related to dental disease as a regular periodontal patient. Even if the blood flow seems normal and inflammation is absent, your gums may still give the impression that they are entirely healthy.

Risk Factors Related To Periodontal Disease

Aggressive inflammation of the gums that is left untreated can be directly associated with conditions such as:

  • Fertility issues.
  • Heart-related issues.
  • Diabetics with uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
  • More likely to get pneumonia.
  • Erectile dysfunction.
  • Memory loss.
  • Stillbirth and preeclampsia.

Therefore, an oral infection can negatively affect your overall well-being, even if you believe that your teeth are not important to you. The main reason why adults lose their teeth is periodontitis.

Importance of Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning is essential if you're suffering from periodontal disease. It takes more than just routine cleanings to get deep into diseased regions and remove a lot of tartar buildup. Extensive teeth cleaning is essential in this case.

You could be leaving harmful bacteria just below your oral cavity if you don't get regular professional dental cleanings. It can then spread directly into your blood circulation. Even though the teeth look good on the outside, their foundation will eventually begin to deteriorate. You could inevitably lose teeth, and oral bacteria could spread to other parts of the body.

Deep teeth cleaning is usually necessary if you possess several gum cavities that are at least 5 mm deep or if you exhibit several gum disease symptoms. Alternatively, your X-ray scans show obvious tartar deposits, which could hinder the measurement of precise pocket depths. Getting your teeth thoroughly cleaned helps stop the gum disease from getting worse.

How To Get Ready For A Deep Teeth Cleaning 

Typically, the dentist's office schedules appointments for deep teeth cleaning in the early afternoon or morning. It is recommended to have the procedure earlier in the day because it takes more time and energy from the dentist. Keep in mind that the procedure usually takes two visits, with each one cleaning half of the mouth.

To stay comfortable, it's important to put on layers of clothing. You can also bring a lightweight, clean blanket if you want. If you'd like to help block out the noise, feel free to download your preferred music collection and plug in the headphones. Additionally, your dentist can use laughing gas for anxious patients. It's acceptable to inquire about it in advance of your dental appointment. The main objective is to make you as comfortable as possible.

It's not recommended that you go back to school or work the same day. However, you will likely be fine doing so the next day. The region around the gums and the spot where the anesthetic was administered could be slightly sensitive for a few hours. Keep some ibuprofen available and take it as prescribed for the first few days. Aside from avoiding both cold and hot meals, you can usually maintain a normal diet. Your mouth can get numb for a while, so you could consider sticking to softer foods for the first few meals.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Deep Cleaning

The following stages outline a standard deep cleaning method. However, note that not all of these steps may apply to your specific situation:

X-rays, Examination, and Periodontal Mapping

This will probably take place before the appointment for the deep teeth cleaning. Each stage needs to be carried out to assess the severity of the gum disease and bone loss.

Administering Numbing Gel or Local Anesthesia

To avoid sensitivity during cleaning, a local anesthetic is administered to the area. While some individuals would like not to feel anything at all, others don't require any numbing drugs. You might prefer a local anesthetic if your teeth are generally sensitive. It's acceptable to allow the dentist to begin and then give it another go a few minutes later.

Optional Sedation with Nitrous Oxide

During most common dental visits, such as deep or routine cleanings, laughing gas can reduce anxiety and foster relaxation. Nitrous oxide works rapidly and is completely reversible, so you are free to drive yourself back home after the operation.

Scaling Hand Teeth with an Ultrasonic Tool

Using a small ultrasonic instrument, your dental professional can remove most of the plaque beneath the surface of the gums during root planning and tooth scaling. While removing tartar, these ultrasonic tools flood the area immediately surrounding them countless times. This method also kills bacterial colonies, resulting in a bacteria-free environment within the periodontal pockets.

To remove any remaining bacterial deposits, scalers, and curettes are specialized manual hand devices that are used after ultrasonic equipment. Since teeth vary in shape and location, these tools are specially made to reach deeper gum surfaces and even other areas of the oral cavity.

Administering a Localized Antibiotic or Using Irrigation

Gum pockets exhibiting signs of serious infection could require additional medical care. One example is the use of prescription irrigation treatments or locally placed antibiotics. Small dosages of medication are injected into the pockets using a syringe. Your dentist could recommend using a mouthwash for a few weeks.

Re-check Appointments for Deep Cleaning

You'll need to go back to your dentist's office for 2 to 3 weeks following your two deep cleaning treatments so that your gums can be evaluated. Your dentist will reevaluate the depth of the gum pockets to determine if the oral tissues have healed and reattached. A plan for continuous maintenance will be developed, which may involve talking about grafting if needed.

A Specialist Referral

Gum disease could sometimes be so bad that your regular dentist lacks the equipment necessary to properly treat it, or you just do not respond to treatment as expected. They will recommend that you see a periodontist, who specializes in gum disease if your condition is severe. Specialists in periodontics use advanced equipment, like microscopes, to examine inside gum pockets.

Additionally, they are capable of performing surgical operations such as "gum flap surgery," which involves retracting tissues to expose the root surfaces and providing a deep cleaning for areas of gum disease that are particularly severe. After completing the periodontal scaling, your periodontist would refer you to a general dental professional or arrange for you to see them alternatively until you heal.

Deep Teeth Cleaning Recovery Care

The following procedures are often followed during deep cleaning and recovery aftercare:

24 Hours Following The Procedure

The aftercare process is one of the most significant factors in the success of gum therapy. It is essential to stop infection relapses and new tartar accumulation. Tartar can develop in as little as 24 hours, so you need to take measures like flossing and brushing properly every day.

Since dental floss and toothbrushes can't reach deep periodontal pockets, you'll need to use a water flosser. It can remove food particles and plaque from gum pockets up to several millimeters beneath the gum's line. They are required if you intend to have root planning and scaling performed. If you use it daily, you'll probably see better results when you resume your follow-up examination.

Weeks After Getting Deep Cleaning

You'll return to the dentist's clinic for a final thorough cleaning and examination in around two to four weeks following your previous deep cleanings. At that point, your teeth will typically be cleaned and polished, and the periodontal pockets will be remeasured to see how well the procedure has worked.

To guard against relapse and track your healing, your dentist will typically put you on a three- to four-month re-care plan.

What Can You Expect From Deep Teeth Cleaning?

There is nothing to be concerned about. While the deep cleaning process is more extensive and takes longer than a standard cleaning, your hygienist and dentist will make sure you are comfortable and offer the support you need to preserve your smile like applying local anesthesia.

Without periodontal care, you risk not only losing one or more teeth but also suffering from overall medical adverse effects caused by the bacterial buildup on your body's immune system.

Find a Dental Cleaning Service Near Me

With a lifespan of centuries, teeth are the strongest organs in the body. However, due to their inability to heal themselves, they are also the most fragile. Due to their fragility, it is your responsibility to take care of your teeth to ensure their health and longevity.

One method to take care of your teeth is to get regular dental cleanings and deep cleanings. These cleanings involve the expert removal of tartar, plaque, and other materials that adhere to teeth and compromise their health. At Northridge Advanced Dentistry, we offer effective and affordably priced dental cleaning treatments to help you achieve improved oral hygiene. Take charge of your dental well-being today. Call us today at 818-701-3010.