Deep cleaning your teeth means going beyond cleaning the surface plaque, tartar, and stains. This dental procedure effectively cleans plaque buildup, bacteria, and debris to ensure gums and teeth stay healthy. Do you want to find out what deep cleaning is and how it can help? Read our article for more information.
What is Dental Deep Cleaning of Teeth?
Deep cleaning of teeth involves manually removing tartar with manual or sonic tools. The process involves the removal of plaque and calcified debris above and below the gum line.
Some people may need this process performed more often than others. Your dentist or hygienist at Dana Street Dental can provide more insight.
Advantages of Deep Cleaning Teeth
Some of the advantages of deep cleaning include:
- Healthier Gums – reduces risk of gum disease by removing plaque and tartar from the teeth surfaces and gum line. This removal of bacteria prevents inflammation, irritation, and infection of the gum tissue
- Protects teeth roots – deep cleaning of teeth promotes healthy gums, reducing the risk of infection to protect your teeth roots
- Fresher breath – the removal of bacteria from your mouth keeps your breath fresh and clean
- Prevents tooth loss – deep cleaning removes deep surface plaque and tartar, keeping your teeth strong and healthy
Disadvantages of Deep Cleaning Teeth
There are a few minor, temporary disadvantages associated with the deep cleaning of your teeth. They include:
- Teeth sensitivity – Since deep cleaning involves removing plaque and tartar from the tooth and root surface, it may cause short term sensitivity
- Gum recession – Deep cleaning induces healing of inflamed and swollen gums. As healing occurs the gum reduces in volume – resulting in recession. Your dentist will provide instructions on how to care for your teeth and gums after a deep clean
When is Deep Cleaning of Teeth Necessary?
Tartar (calcified plaque) forms on and around teeth and gums. Regular good oral hygiene is effective at removing plaque. However, once the plaque has been left on the teeth surface for a few days, the mineral in saliva calcifies the debris, resulting in tartar. Tartar can only be removed with professional cleaning with a dentist or hygienist. Long established tartar could result in gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Regular dental cleaning is essential for the periodic removal of plaque and tartar to maintain complete oral health.
If gum disease is left untreated, the infection at the gum level spreads to the jaw bone underneath. The loss of jaw bone can eventually result in teeth becoming loose or ultimately fall out. If the volume of bone loss is severe, replacing the missing tooth via dental implants or even a denture can become very difficult. Our dentists will always assess the health of your gums during the routine check up appointment so periodontal disease could be prevented or treated with deep cleaning at a timely manner.
Deep Teeth Cleaning Procedure
Before you have deep cleaning, the hygienist or dentist measures your gums and looks for a pocket of 3mm or more. Measurements greater than 3mm suggest gum disease is starting to develop.
With some local anaesthesia, our dentist/hygienist will manually carry out deep teeth cleaning on the areas required. Depending on the severity of gum disease, deep cleaning is a one to two-hour process that involves carefully and thoroughly removing surface plaque and tartar while also smoothing down the roots of the tooth below the gum line.
Where to Have Deep Cleaning of Teeth
Deep cleaning of your teeth mostly occurs at your dentist. If the gum disease is severe and periodontal surgery is required – you would be referred to see a gum disease specialist.
The deep cleaning visit is usually carried out over two visits: one side is performed at first visit, then the other side at the follow up appointment. This is a low risk procedure that needs to be carried out periodontally for patients with or prone to gum disease. If managed well, patients will not experience bone loss or tooth loss.
Once your teeth and gums are healthy, you may then consider restorative or cosmetic procedures such as veneers to improve your smile.
Personalised Dental Treatments with Dana Street Dental
Your dentist may recommend deep teeth cleaning or periodontal scaling in addition to standard dental cleaning to ensure good oral health. We also offer cosmetic procedures such as veneers and dental implants. With the right care from your Dana Street Dental team, you can have a beautiful and healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Check our website for more information or give us a call to book a consultation.
