When recommended a dental “deep cleaning,” many people worry if the procedure could harm their teeth. This confusion arises because a deep cleaning, formally known as Scaling and Root Planing (SRP), is a therapeutic treatment, unlike a routine cleaning. While SRP can cause temporary discomfort, it is a necessary medical intervention designed to halt the progression of gum disease. Its goal is preservation, preventing the long-term structural damage caused by periodontal infection.
Defining Scaling and Root Planing
The term “deep cleaning” is the common name for Scaling and Root Planing (SRP), which differs fundamentally from a routine dental cleaning (prophylaxis). A routine cleaning is preventive, removing plaque and tartar only from above the gumline. SRP is a treatment prescribed for active periodontal disease, characterized by the formation of pockets between the gums and the tooth root.
The first step, scaling, involves meticulously removing hardened bacterial deposits (calculus or tartar) from tooth surfaces both above and below the gumline. This is necessary when periodontal pockets measure four millimeters or greater, indicating the infection has progressed beyond the reach of normal hygiene. Following scaling, root planing begins, where the tooth root surfaces are carefully smoothed. This action removes bacterial toxins and eliminates rough spots that serve as anchors for future bacterial buildup. The objective of SRP is to reduce pocket depth and allow the gum tissue to reattach firmly to the cleaner, smoother roots.
Potential Side Effects Versus Actual Damage
Concerns about damage confuse temporary side effects with permanent structural harm. The discomfort experienced after SRP results from the healing process, not damage to the enamel or dentin. The most common temporary effect is increased tooth sensitivity, especially to hot or cold temperatures and sweets.
This sensitivity occurs because the procedure removes the insulating calculus layer, exposing root surfaces that contain microscopic tubules leading to the nerve. As the gums heal and inflammation subsides, this sensitivity diminishes within a few days to a few weeks. Another change often misinterpreted as damage is the appearance of gum recession. SRP does not cause recession; instead, the reduction of inflammation allows swollen tissue to shrink back to its true level, making pre-existing recession caused by the disease more visible.
Patients may also experience temporary gum soreness, mild swelling, or slight bleeding for a few days. These reactions are part of the body’s natural repair response to removing deep-seated infection. True structural damage, such as chipping the enamel or dentin, is not an outcome of this non-surgical procedure, which uses specialized instruments targeting only the root surface and calculus.
Managing Sensitivity and Recovery
Managing the recovery period minimizes discomfort and ensures a successful outcome. For temporary pain and soreness, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen are often effective. It is recommended to consume a soft diet for the first 24 to 48 hours and avoid foods that are hard, crunchy, spicy, or extreme in temperature until tenderness subsides.
Rinsing the mouth with a warm saltwater solution three times a day helps soothe the gums and promote healing (use about half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water). To address temporary temperature sensitivity, use a desensitizing toothpaste containing ingredients like potassium nitrate. Patients must continue gentle, consistent oral hygiene, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing carefully around treated areas to maintain a clean environment for healing.
Risks of Untreated Periodontal Disease
The risks of avoiding SRP far outweigh the temporary discomfort of the procedure. Untreated gum disease (periodontitis) is a chronic bacterial infection that progresses silently, causing irreversible harm to the tissues supporting the teeth. This infection destroys the periodontal ligament and the supportive alveolar bone that anchors the teeth in the jaw.
As bone is lost, teeth become increasingly mobile, eventually leading to tooth loss. Beyond the mouth, chronic inflammation from periodontitis is linked to various systemic health conditions. Bacteria and inflammatory mediators from infected gums can enter the bloodstream, potentially contributing to cardiovascular disease, making diabetes management difficult, and increasing the risk for certain respiratory infections. Choosing deep cleaning is a necessary step to halt this destructive process, protecting both the longevity of the teeth and overall systemic health.