A professional dental cleaning is a procedure that is typically recommended for every patient. The general advice is to undergo a professional cleaning every 6 months. But do you need a deep cleaning at the dentist? Continue reading to discover the difference between routine dental cleaning and deep cleaning, as well as information about the cases in which a deep cleaning is required.
Do You Really Need a Deep Cleaning at the Dentist?
Not everyone needs to undergo a deep dental cleaning. This procedure, which is also referred to as scaling and root planing, is used to remove plaque and tartar that accumulate underneath the gum line. Often, such a condition is caused by periodontal disease, a chronic infection of the gum tissue. Therefore, if your gums are healthy, you do not have periodontal pockets filled with tartar, and only the crowns of your teeth need to be cleaned, a routine professional dental cleaning will be sufficient for you.
Typically, the signs that you need a deep dental cleaning correspond with symptoms of gum disease:
- Receding gums (a condition when gum tissue “pulls away” from the teeth, partially exposing their roots)
- Regularly bleeding gums
- Red, swollen, and tender gums
- Pus that comes out from under the gumline
- Cysts or pimples on the gums
- Unpleasant taste or bad breath that lingers even after brushing and flossing your teeth
- Teeth that feel loose in their sockets
- Pain when chewing food or touching the gums and teeth
Only your doctor will be able to determine if you need a deep dental cleaning. Diagnosing this will require an examination, which may include an X-ray or scans, of your oral health. Gum disease in its early stages is hard to spot at home. That is why it is crucial to commit to at least a semiannual check-up, as your dentist will be able to notice the issue and take measures to prevent its further development.
How a Deep Dental Cleaning Can Help with Gum Disease Treatment
Deep cleaning is typically performed with the use of an anesthetic, as your dental hygienist will need to access the tooth surface underneath the gum line to remove tartar that accumulates there. Such dental instruments as scalars and ultrasonic cleaning devices are used for the procedure.
As a result, your periodontal pockets and those parts of the teeth that are covered with the gum will be free of tartar and bacteria. Thus, by eliminating one of the causes of infection, it will be easier to prevent further development of gum disease and help your gums heal.
In some cases, a deep dental cleaning can be used in combination with other treatments, such as antibiotic therapy, gum or bone grafting, laser treatments, etc., to combat gum disease.
Treating gum disease as early as possible to avoid tooth loss and jawbone deterioration.
Routine Dental Cleanings and Gum Disease Prevention
If you do not have any signs of gum disease, a routine surface dental cleaning might be sufficient for you. Routine dental cleanings, if undergone regularly, can help maintain the health of your teeth and gums and prevent cavities, decay, and gum disease.
The primary cause of all these oral health issues is bacteria that live in plaque and tartar. Even if you maintain a perfect oral hygiene routine at home, some plaque will most likely still accumulate on your teeth, especially in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Also, if you have orthodontic issues like overcrowded teeth, you have a higher risk of accumulating plaque because it is harder to effectively clean misaligned teeth.
If plaque is not removed in time, it hardens and turns into tartar. Tartar is sticky and impossible to remove without specialized dental instruments. The danger of both plaque and tartar is that they are an ideal environment for bacterial proliferation. Bacteria destroy the enamel of your teeth and cause infections of the gum tissue.
During a routine dental cleaning, your dentist will be able to remove plaque and tartar effectively, even in the areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. Additionally, we recommend opting for fluoride treatments as part of your regular dental cleanings to further boost the health of your teeth and gums.
Get a Professional Dental Cleaning at The Smile Artists LA
Do not neglect your dental health, and make an appointment with an experienced dentist at The Smile Artists LA dental office today. In our clinic, we use up-to-date methods and techniques to help our patients combat gum disease and restore their oral health. Our specialists look forward to your visit.
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