When it comes to oral health, regular dental cleanings play a critical role in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. However, there are times when your dentist may recommend something more intensive, a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. Unlike a regular cleaning, which focuses on maintaining overall oral hygiene, a deep cleaning is a specialized procedure designed to treat and manage gum disease.
If your dentist diagnoses you with gum disease and recommends a deep cleaning, it is vital to follow through with the treatment plan. Ignoring or delaying it can lead to serious oral health issues, including tooth loss, infection, and even systemic health complications. Let’s explore why deep cleaning is necessary, how it differs from regular cleanings, and why prioritizing it is essential for your long-term dental health.
Regular Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning is key to recognizing why your dentist may recommend one over the other. Both procedures are important but serve distinct purposes.
What Is a Regular Cleaning?
A regular cleaning, also called prophylaxis, is a preventive treatment performed during your routine dental visits, typically every six months. This type of cleaning is meant for individuals with healthy gums or mild plaque buildup. During a regular cleaning, the dental hygienist will:
- Remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and above the gumline.
- Polish your teeth to remove surface stains.
- Floss and rinse to eliminate any remaining debris.
- Conduct a dental exam to check for any signs of cavities, gum issues, or other oral health concerns.
Regular cleanings are essential for preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. However, they are not designed to treat active gum disease or address problems beneath the gumline.
What Is a Deep Cleaning?
A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, is a therapeutic treatment for individuals diagnosed with periodontal (gum) disease. Unlike regular cleanings, which focus on the tooth surfaces, a deep cleaning targets bacteria and tartar below the gumline. It involves two main steps:
- Scaling: The removal of plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and deep below the gumline, including within the periodontal pockets.
- Root Planing: Smoothing the root surfaces of the teeth to prevent further buildup of bacteria and to help the gums reattach to the teeth.
Deep cleanings are typically performed over multiple visits and may include the use of local anesthesia to ensure comfort during the procedure. In some cases, antibiotic treatment or antimicrobial irrigation is used to help reduce bacterial infection.
Why Your Dentist May Recommend a Deep Cleaning
When your dentist recommends a deep cleaning, it is not just a precaution, it is a necessary treatment for managing active gum disease. Ignoring this recommendation can result in the progression of the disease, leading to serious oral health consequences.
Here’s why your dentist may diagnose you with gum disease and prescribe a deep cleaning:
- Gum Inflammation and Bleeding: If you experience bleeding gums, redness, or swelling, these are often early signs of gingivitis or periodontitis. A deep cleaning is needed to remove the bacterial buildup causing the inflammation.
- Periodontal Pockets: When gum disease progresses, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth, forming periodontal pockets. These pockets trap bacteria and tartar, making them difficult to clean with regular brushing or standard cleanings. Scaling and root planing are necessary to clear out these deep-seated bacteria.
- Bone Loss: If gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to bone loss around the teeth, causing teeth to become loose or eventually fall out. Deep cleaning can help slow or stop the bone loss process.
- Chronic Bad Breath: Persistent bad breath (halitosis) is often a sign of bacterial infection below the gumline. Deep cleaning removes the source of the odor-causing bacteria.
Why It’s Critical to Follow Through with a Deep Cleaning
If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease and your dentist has created a treatment plan that includes deep cleaning, it is crucial to follow through with the prescribed care. Failing to do so can have serious consequences for your oral and overall health.
1. Preventing Further Gum Disease Progression
Gum disease is progressive. Without appropriate treatment, it will only get worse. Gingivitis, the mildest form, can quickly develop into periodontitis, a more severe condition that causes permanent damage to the gums and bone. Deep cleaning stops the progression by removing the plaque and tartar responsible for the infection.
2. Protecting Against Tooth Loss
When periodontal disease advances, the gums begin to recede, and the supporting bone structure deteriorates. This weakens the foundation holding your teeth in place, eventually leading to tooth mobility or loss. Deep cleaning helps prevent tooth loss by keeping your gums healthy and slowing the disease’s impact.
3. Preserving Your Overall Health
Untreated gum disease is linked to several systemic health conditions, including:
- Heart disease: Bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream, contributing to inflammation and cardiovascular issues.
- Diabetes: Gum disease can make it more challenging to control blood sugar levels, while diabetes increases the risk of periodontal disease.
- Respiratory issues: Inhaled oral bacteria may aggravate lung conditions or contribute to pneumonia.
By completing your deep cleaning treatment, you reduce the risk of these systemic complications.
4. Saving You Money in the Long Run
While it may be tempting to postpone or skip a deep cleaning, doing so can lead to more extensive and costly dental treatments down the road. Treating advanced gum disease may require gum grafts, bone grafts, or even extractions and dental implants, all of which are far more expensive and invasive than deep cleaning.
What to Expect During and After a Deep Cleaning
If you are scheduled for a deep cleaning, knowing what to expect can help you feel more comfortable about the procedure.
During the Procedure
- Your dentist or hygienist may use local anesthesia to numb the area.
- The scaling process will remove plaque and tartar from beneath the gumline.
- The root planing process will smooth the roots to help the gums reattach.
After the Procedure
- You may experience mild sensitivity or tenderness for a few days.
- Follow your dentist’s instructions for oral care and any prescribed medications.
- Keep up with your follow-up appointments to monitor healing and maintain oral health.
Prioritizing Your Oral Health
When your dentist diagnoses you with gum disease and recommends a deep cleaning, it is essential to trust their expertise and follow through with the treatment plan. Delaying or ignoring deep cleaning can lead to irreversible damage, while timely intervention can save your teeth and protect your overall health.
If you have been diagnosed with gum disease or are experiencing symptoms such as bleeding gums, bad breath, or gum recession, don’t wait to take action. The team at Fernandez, DMD is here to help you maintain a healthy smile with expert care. We are conveniently located at 502 E. Olympia Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Or you can contact us by phone, at 941-639-1124.
Schedule your deep cleaning appointment today and take the next step toward healthier gums and a brighter smile!
