Regular dental cleanings are a foundational aspect of preventive oral care, important for removing plaque and tartar. While routine cleanings address visible tooth surfaces, some conditions require a more intensive approach to preserve gum and tooth integrity.
What is a Deep Teeth Cleaning?
A deep teeth cleaning, known as scaling and root planing, is a specialized procedure to treat gum disease. Unlike standard cleanings that focus above the gumline, a deep cleaning extends beneath it to address bacterial buildup on tooth roots. This procedure becomes necessary when gum inflammation progresses to periodontitis. Periodontitis leads to “pockets” between gums and teeth where plaque and hardened tartar (calculus) accumulate.
Signs indicating the need for a deep cleaning include persistent bad breath, bleeding or swollen gums, receding gums, and loose or sensitive teeth. When a dental professional measures periodontal pockets, a depth greater than 3 millimeters often suggests scaling and root planing would be beneficial. The procedure removes bacterial toxins and deposits, smoothing root surfaces to encourage gum tissue reattachment. This helps reduce pocket depth and prevents further gum disease progression, which could lead to bone and tooth loss.
The Deep Cleaning Process
The deep cleaning process typically begins with an initial oral health assessment, including X-rays. To ensure comfort, a local anesthetic is administered to numb the gums and surrounding areas, as the cleaning extends below the gumline.
The procedure involves two main phases: scaling and root planing. During scaling, the dental professional removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline, including within periodontal pockets. This is done using specialized instruments like ultrasonic devices and manual scalers to ensure thorough removal of all deposits.
Following scaling, root planing involves smoothing the rough surfaces of the tooth roots. This step helps eliminate areas where bacteria can easily adhere, promoting a cleaner surface that encourages gums to reattach properly to the teeth. The procedure typically takes one to two hours per session and may require multiple appointments, often two, to treat different sections of the mouth.
After Your Deep Cleaning
After a deep cleaning, patients can expect temporary soreness, tenderness, and sensitivity in the gums and teeth, which may last a few days to a week. Minor bleeding and swelling are also normal and typically subside quickly as the gum tissues heal and reattach.
To manage discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be taken. Rinsing gently with a warm salt-water solution (half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water) two to three times daily can help reduce inflammation and promote healing. Avoid eating until the local anesthesia wears off to prevent accidental biting. For the first few days, a soft food diet is recommended. Avoid spicy, acidic, very hot foods, and tobacco products to support healing.
Maintaining diligent oral hygiene after the procedure is important to preserve results and prevent gum disease recurrence. Gentle brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and daily flossing are recommended, being careful around treated areas. Follow-up appointments are often scheduled to monitor gum healing and assess pocket depths, ensuring long-term success.