Deep cleaning

If your gums have become so unwell, your teeth are already pulling away and creating pockets, and bone is exposed, then you most probably need to have a deep cleaning.

What is deep cleaning?

Deep cleaning focuses on the gums and the entire exposed tooth. It cleans away all the bacteria and buildup on your tooth to keep your gums reattach to your tooth and protect it from incurring further decay or damage.

How is regular dental cleaning different from deep cleaning?

A regular dental cleaning or scaling is only removing the plaque and tartar off your teeth above and below the gumline. On the other hand, deep cleaning involves the same regular cleaning but this time it includes planning or the cleaning of roots’surfaces. With this, deep cleaning usually takes longer even multiple appointments with your doctor just to ensure that your oral cavity is totally clean.

Root Planing

Root planing is a procedure where it removes tartar and plaque from the roots and smooths the rough spots where bacteria usually stay. This helps prevent gum disease and gives a smooth surface for our gums for reattachment. Usually, the procedure takes one to two hours with only a local anaesthetic. Dental hygienists may use the traditional ultrasonic cleaner or scalers or both, or he would opt for the modern approach by using laser. Using the laser approach causes less swelling, bleeding, and discomfort than the traditional approach but your dentist should have attended specialized training. 

What happens after deep cleaning?

Generally, you may experience tooth sensitivity, soreness, or bleeding a few days after the procedure which is normal. Visit your dentist for a follow-up check-up to see how well your gums are healing.

Conclusion: Deep cleaning is a more complicated procedure than the usual dental cleaning. After a thorough check-up, dentists are the ones to suggest if you need deep cleaning for your oral cavity. If you are not convinced, then you can ask for a second opinion. If you are in doubt with your teeth, go for a quick check-up with your dentist.