What to Expect During a Deep Dental Cleaning

Taking care of your teeth and gums is a sound strategy if you want a charming, healthy smile. When plaque and tartar form above the gum line, a good home dental hygiene routine and regular dental cleanings normally help keep it in check. However, this bacterial buildup can be sneaky. If tartar and plaque develop below the gumline, a deep dental cleaning may be required to clear it away. Knowing what to expect helps you appreciate the benefits of this procedure.

Why Are Deep Dental Cleanings Needed?

When bacteria and tartar infect the areas below the gumline, they cause serious problems for the gums, jaws, and teeth. You may suffer gum disease, bone loss, and tooth loss without proper deep dental cleaning.

Red Flags That I Need a Deep Teeth Cleaning

Maintaining a regular dental hygiene routine at home and seeing your dentist regularly usually works to keep plaque and tartar under control. However, some people are more vulnerable. Anyone who notices these red flags should ask their dentist about a deep periodontal cleaning:

• Consistently unpleasant breath
• Pus around the teeth or gumline
• Gums that bleed during flossing or brushing
• Gums that seem to be receding, showing more of the teeth
• Gums that are tender, red, or swollen

What Happens During a Deep Dental Cleaning?

A deep teeth cleaning, sometimes called scaling & root planing, is a non-surgical procedure performed in your dentist’s office. While the details will vary depending on a patient’s specific needs, the procedure generally follows a basic format:

• Anesthesia. A local numbing such as lidocaine is administered for comfort.
• Scaling. Special tools are used to rid teeth and their roots of plaque and tartar.
• Planing. Rough areas on the teeth’s roots are smoothed. This eliminates hiding spots favored by bacteria and supports healing.
• Antibiotics. Antibiotics, sometimes in the form of a rinse, may be used to eradicate bacteria and encourage healing.

A deep cleaning treatment may address a few teeth or half the mouth. Few dentists will treat the entire mouth in one appointment. Patients who need full-mouth teeth scaling may require multiple appointments.

What Are the Benefits of Periodontal Deep Cleaning?

A deep dental cleaning offers several valuable benefits for your oral health:

• Decreased gum disease. Removing tartar beneath the gumline doesn’t eliminate the threat of gum disease. Patients must maintain healthy habits like brushing, flossing, and getting their regular dental checkups. However, it can reset the clock for those who are struggling with gingivitis or early periodontitis. The treatment soothes tender gums, allowing the gum tissue to reattach to the teeth and reducing gum pockets.
• Better breath. Gum disease is a major cause of bad breath. Treating it can alleviate the concern.
• Healthier smiles. Tackling the troublesome tartar hiding beneath the gumline reduces gum disease and prevents tooth decay. When your gums and teeth are healthier, your smile is stronger and in better condition.

At Wekiva Dental, we know that a beautiful smile can make a major difference in someone’s life. We’re delighted to offer general and cosmetic dentistry services in the Apopka, Longwood and surrounding Orlando, Florida areas. Whether you have questions about deep dental cleanings or our other dental services, we’re happy to provide answers. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.