Deep Teeth Cleaning – Do I Really Need It?
Has your dentist recently recommended deep teeth cleaning. If so, you may be wondering, “do I really need it for perfect teeth?” The short answer is, “yes, you really need deep teeth cleaning for perfect teeth if you have early signs of gum disease.” Now, let’s take a deep dive and find out what deep teeth cleaning involves, when and who needs it, and much more.
What is deep cleaning for adults?
Dental deep cleaning, also called deep teeth cleaning or gum therapy, is a non-surgical treatment necessary for patients with early signs of gum disease. Dental deep cleaning essentially cleans your teeth down to the roots, removing all the accumulated plaque and tartar from your teeth, gum line, and roots. The dental deep cleaning process also involves smoothing the roots of your teeth to remove tartar building, facilitating gum health and reattachment.
Is dental deep cleaning necessary?
Dental deep cleaning is a non-surgical treatment for the early signs of gum disease. To understand the necessity of dental deep cleaning, you must briefly understand gum disease and its causes. Gum disease basically happens due to the inflammation or infection of your gum tissues because of bacterial infection, but there’s a lot more to it than that.
When you eat, small amounts of food particles often get stuck between your gums, teeth, and in the deep recesses of your teeth. Some of them lead to irritation, which is why you may feel compelled to pick at your teeth and remove the particles. However, the tiniest micro-particles of food don’t cause any discomfort and stay in the deep recesses of your teeth.
Over time, the accumulated food particles turn into a white and sticky substance called plaque. Most people know what plaque feels like — it’s not pleasant. You can remove most of the plaque with proper oral hygiene, such as brushing, flossing, rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial wash, etc.
But those methods don’t remove all the accumulated plaque and food particles. Some of the remaining traces of plaque may eventually harden into a substance called tartar, which can’t be removed through basic oral hygiene. Bacteria love feasting on plaque and tartar, so they’re drawn to your teeth, leading to excessive bacterial accumulation.
As the bacteria continue feasting on the plaque and tartar, they release toxins that lead to dental decay and inflame your gums. The consistent inflammation of gums leads to bacterial infection in your gums, also known as gum disease, gingivitis, or, in its most advanced stage, periodontitis. Dental deep cleaning is necessary if you have early signs of gum disease.
What is the periodontal cleaning procedure?
The periodontal cleaning procedure will start as regular teeth cleaning, with the dentist looking for signs and symptoms of gum disease. If they identify any warning signs to be concerned about, they may run some x-rays or other diagnostic tests to visualize your dental anatomy and identify gum disease. Once they identify gum disease, they’ll proceed with the dental deep cleaning procedures.
During the gum therapy, the dentist will remove the accumulated plaque and tartar from your teeth, gum line, and the deeper recesses of your teeth using a special tool called a scalar. After removing all the accumulated plaque and tartar, the dentist will observe your gums to determine if there’s a wider pocket of space between the gums and the teeth than normal.
An excessive pocket of space between the gums and teeth indicate the presence of tartar around the roots of the teeth, leading to recessive gums. Using a root planing method, the dentist removes the tartar and plaque from the roots of the teeth and smoothens the surface to facilitate smooth gum healing. Over time, as the gum tissues heal, they’ll reattach to the teeth, closing the gap caused by gum disease.
After the perio scaling and root planing steps, the dentist polishes your teeth with a gritty toothpaste and toothbrush. Following the polishing, the dental hygienist will carefully floss your teeth, have you rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash, and then apply a fluoride gel over your teeth. The fluoride gel sits on your teeth for a few minutes and protects your teeth from bacterial decay for several months.
How is the perio cleaning procedure different from a routine dental cleaning?
Routine dental cleanings are necessary whether you have gum disease or not. In fact, routine dental cleanings prevent gum disease, thus helping you avoid the perio cleaning procedure. During the regular teeth cleaning procedure, the dentist merely removes the plaque and tartar from your teeth and gum line using the scalar device and polishes your teeth. There’s no root planing involved because you don’t suffer from gum recession caused by gum disease.
Will teeth tighten after deep cleaning?
Yes, your teeth will tighten after deep cleaning. During the dental deep cleaning, the dentist removes the plaque and tartar from your gum line and the pockets of space between your gums and teeth. The dentist also smoothens the teeth roots, allowing the gums to heal properly around the teeth. As such, deep cleaning ensures teeth tightening.
How long does it take gums to heal after deep cleaning?
It generally takes around 5 to 7 days for the gums to heal around the teeth, tightening the teeth again.
Does deep cleaning require anesthesia?
Yes, the deep cleaning procedure requires local anesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable through the whole procedure. However, a routine dental cleaning doesn’t require any anesthesia, though you may request oral sedation if you’re anxious.
Schedule your deep cleaning teeth procedure today.
Do you have red, inflamed, or loose gums? If so, you may be suffering from gum disease and in need of gum therapy. Sapphire Smiles is one of the most advanced dental clinics in Yale, Houston. For more information on dental cleaning, please schedule an appointment online or call us at (832) 409-0400.
