The prevalence of periodontal (gum) disease is a public health issue in the US. A recent CDC report shows that 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older suffer from some form of periodontal disease.
In its more serious form, the disease can cause persistent bad breath, tender or bleeding gums, and eventual tooth loss.
Fortunately, gum disease can be prevented with a simple, non-invasive treatment called deep dental cleaning.
What is dental deep cleaning?
Also referred to as root planing or periodontal scaling, dental deep cleaning is a method used to get rid of tartar, bacteria, and plaque. Cleaning is done below your gum line and on the outer surface of the roots.
Plaque is a sticky, colorless, or pale yellow film of bacteria that collects on teeth daily. It forms when saliva mixes with food particles. Brushing your teeth regularly helps get rid of plaque. By itself, however, toothbrushing isn’t enough to remove all the plaque between your teeth. When leftover plaque hardens or calcifies, it forms tartar.
When plaque or tartar accumulates, it can cause infection and gum disease, including gingivitis. This condition is characterized by irritation, redness, and swelling. If left unchecked, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis.
What causes tartar buildup?
Tartar buildup may be caused by several factors, including diabetes, smoking, and even stress. Missing regular visits to your dentist and hygienist is also a factor.
In some cases, tartar buildup also occurs in individuals who take medication that causes dry mouth. Hormonal changes may also contribute to the buildup, especially among pregnant individuals and those who use oral contraceptives. Lastly, heredity makes some people more susceptible to plaque buildup even if they practice good oral care.
Preventing infection and inflammation in the gums is critical to good health. Good oral care can help prolong your life, especially if you struggle with diabetes or heart disease.
When is a dental deep cleaning necessary?
Dentists often recommend deep teeth cleaning if you have aggressive periodontal disease. This is often characterized by heavy tartar buildup in deep pockets that have formed around your teeth, where the bone has shrunk, and the gums have detached.
Other symptoms of periodontitis usually depend on the stage of the disease but may include:
- Tooth loss
- Swelling and tenderness in gums
- Receding gums
- Pain when chewing
- The inflammatory response throughout the body
- Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth or floss
- Foul taste in your mouth
- Changes in the position of your teeth or loose teeth
- The buildup of plaque or tartar on your teeth
- Bad breath
Untreated periodontal disease has been associated with other conditions such as:
- Uncontrolled blood glucose levels in diabetics
- Receding gums and exposure of the roots of the teeth
- Painful abscesses
- Migration of teeth, which may get in the way of eating
- Increased risk of complications during pregnancy, including preeclampsia and low birth weight
- increased risk of pneumonia, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases
Ultimately, the goal of deep teeth cleaning is to remove the bacteria inside the formed pockets and create a clean space where the bone loss will stop, and the gum line can reattach.
What to expect before your deep cleaning appointment
Your dentist may recommend a comprehensive periodontal evaluation to assess if you’re a suitable candidate for deep dental cleaning. During the check-up, your dentist will use a periodontal probe to look at the bone levels and pocket depths around every tooth.
A healthy pocket depth is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters (mm). 4 mm may signify gingivitis, and anything above that indicates moderate to advanced gum disease.
It’s generally impossible to reach pockets that are five mm deep with flossing and brushing alone. As a result, your dentist may recommend a deep dental cleaning.
What happens during a dental deep cleaning?
It’s natural to feel stressed before any dental procedure. Knowing what to expect can help ease some of your anxiety.
- The process usually begins with the dentist applying a local anesthetic such as a topical gel or injectables. This will help numb the areas that will be deep cleaned, so you won’t feel any pain throughout the process.
- First, your dentist will attempt to manually scrape the bacterial buildup from the teeth above and below the gum line. This will prevent cavities and decay from developing. A hand-held dental scaler or curette is typically used to accomplish this.
- Sometimes, the process of eliminating tartar may be demanding. If the tartar can’t be removed manually, your dentist might use an ultrasonic removal tool with a vibrating metal tip alongside a water spray for better results. This device can help clean hard-to-reach areas like the pockets and roots at the base of your tooth.
- A planing tool will be used to smoothen rough spots on your teeth, reducing the chances of bacteria forming on them. Root planing involves a rubbing motion, helping your cleaner and healthier gums reattach to your teeth.
- Antibiotics may be applied to the tooth and inner gum to prevent disease and facilitate healing.
When done correctly, dental deep cleaning prevents gum disease from advancing and causing tooth loss.
How long does a deep dental cleaning take?
On average, a deep dental cleaning may take between 45 minutes and an hour. However, it depends on the severity of bacterial buildup and gum disease. The length of the process will also depend on how sensitive your teeth are.
In some cases, patients need multiple sessions, with the dentist cleaning one quadrant of the mouth at a time. Your dentist will let you know what to expect during your initial consultation.
Does deep dental cleaning hurt?
Deep teeth cleaning can be uncomfortable, but it’s usually painless, thanks to the local anesthetic. You will be awake throughout the process, and you might feel a tiny bit of pressure and movement in your mouth.
Your dentist can also reduce any discomfort by breaking down the procedure into multiple sessions.
What to expect after dental cleaning of teeth
Dental deep cleaning should not cause you severe pain or other serious side effects. Since it’s a minimally invasive method, most patients report little to no swelling or tenderness.
You might experience heightened temperature sensitivity, but this will usually pass within a week or two. Your dentist may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to help alleviate any discomfort. Rinsing the mouth with salt water can also help.
A reassessment is usually scheduled four to six weeks after your deep dental cleaning. Your dentist will then measure the pocket depths around the teeth to check for improvement.
Once your gum disease is stabilized, your dentist will likely recommend routine cleaning every six months. Individuals who are more susceptible to decay and gum disease might need more frequent visits.
Advantages of deep dental cleaning
- Prevention of gum disease
Deep cleaning can help patients combat symptoms of gingivitis or early periodontitis and improve oral health.
- Reduced risk of tooth decay
Gum disease can result in the decay of tooth tissue. In some cases, a common dental filling is not enough to treat the infection. Removing bacteria within the gums can prevent decay and the need for more invasive restorative treatments.
- Better breath
Gingivitis is a common cause of bad breath. A deep cleaning helps get rid of bad breath and restores a healthier smile.
Deep cleaning vs. routine cleaning: what’s the difference?
Routine cleaning is needed to maintain healthy gums, remove tartar buildup, and prevent cavities and gum infections. It focuses on polishing your teeth and removing debris at and above the gum line. As a rule, a dental exam and cleaning should be scheduled once every six months.
On the other hand, deep teeth cleaning is advised when your dentist detects a more significant amount of bacteria and tartar that cannot be removed through regular cleaning. When left untreated, this buildup can trigger several oral health complications.
Deep cleaning is more extensive and involves removing bacteria found in the roots of the teeth. The sessions are more rigorous and sometimes require several appointments, unlike regular cleaning, which often takes just a couple of hours. With deep cleaning, the dentist will also have to continuously monitor the gums and teeth through follow-up appointments.
If you already suffer from periodontal disease, a dental deep cleaning may help stop its progression. In many cases, improvement can be seen within three months.
Overall, the main objective of routine cleaning is preventative maintenance, while deep teeth cleaning is to hinder the progression of gum disease.
Stop gum disease and tooth loss
Deep cleaning is critical in fighting against dangerous infections. If irritants and inflammation in your gums are left untreated, they can advance into worse conditions and require additional treatments like a root canal.
Combining deep cleaning treatments and good oral hygiene helps control the bacteria in the mouth that are responsible for gum disease.
Scottsdale dentist Dr. Rod W. Gore, DDS, offers a wide range of dental services and custom teeth whitening solutions for patients of all ages in Scottsdale, AZ.
Schedule an appointment for safe and thorough deep cleaning services.