A deep dental cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is a specialized procedure designed to address advanced gum issues. It goes beyond the scope of a routine cleaning, targeting problems that lie beneath the gumline. This treatment is often recommended when individuals experience symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or receding gums.
What Defines a Deep Dental Cleaning?
A deep dental cleaning treats advanced gum disease, particularly periodontitis. Unlike a standard cleaning that focuses on visible tooth surfaces, a deep cleaning addresses plaque and tartar buildup on root surfaces below the gumline. This accumulation of bacteria can lead to inflammation, gum recession, and the formation of pockets between the gums and teeth.
The procedure becomes necessary when plaque and hardened tartar, known as calculus, extend into these pockets. If left untreated, this bacterial presence can cause damage to the bone and tissues supporting the teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss. By removing these deposits and toxins, a deep cleaning aims to reduce inflammation, promote gum reattachment to tooth surfaces, and prevent further disease progression.
The Deep Cleaning Procedure
The deep cleaning procedure involves two main components: scaling and root planing. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces, both above and below the gumline, extending into the periodontal pockets. Following scaling, root planing smooths the surfaces of the tooth roots. This smoothing helps eliminate rough spots where bacteria can easily adhere, promoting gum tissue healing and encouraging reattachment to the teeth.
Dental professionals use specialized instruments. Ultrasonic devices, which employ high-frequency vibrations, dislodge larger deposits. Hand scalers and curettes are then used for more precise cleaning and smoothing, especially below the gumline. Local anesthesia is administered to numb treated areas, ensuring patient comfort. Depending on the gum disease’s extent, a deep cleaning may be completed in one or two appointments, often treating one side of the mouth at a time.
Recovery and Aftercare
Following a deep dental cleaning, temporary soreness, sensitivity, or mild bleeding in the gums is common. This discomfort can last for a few days to a week as the gums begin to heal. Applying an ice pack to the cheek can help with swelling, and over-the-counter pain relievers may be recommended.
Patients should consume soft foods initially and avoid hot, spicy, or hard foods that could irritate the healing gums. Maintaining good oral hygiene is important for healing; this includes gentle brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and regular use of a warm salt-water rinse, typically after the first 24-48 hours. Dentists may also recommend desensitizing toothpaste for increased tooth sensitivity.
Follow-up appointments monitor healing progress and ensure long-term gum health, with continued professional cleanings often recommended more frequently than standard hygiene appointments. Full gum healing can take several weeks to a few months, depending on individual factors and disease severity.