When Do You Need a Deep Cleaning?

​How do You Know When You Need A Deep Cleaning?
Regular dental checkups are essential for your oral and overall health. Everyone should go to the dentist twice each year for a regular cleaning of their teeth. During routine cleanings, the hygienist will take measurements of your gum tissue. If your gum tissue becomes inflamed, the hygienist may recommend a deep cleaning, which is also referred to as root planing or root scaling.

The Difference Between Root Planing and a Regular Cleaning
During a regular cleaning, the hygienist will scrape tartar and plaque off your teeth, brush and floss them. The regular cleaning only gets rid of the plaque and bacteria above your gum tissue. A deep cleaning involves scraping away tartar buildup from underneath the surface of the gum tissue. You may be surprised to know that one-third of your tooth’s length is actually below the surface of your gums. After the tartar is removed, the hygienist or dentist may apply an antibacterial rinse to flush out any leftover bacteria.

When to Do a Deep Cleaning
A periodontal probe will be used to measure inflammation around each tooth and the hygienist will check for signs of bleeding and periodontal (gum) disease. When signs of periodontal disease, such as bleeding or gaps (pockets) between your teeth and gums measuring 4 millimeters around the teeth are present, a deep cleaning is needed. The dentist may numb you to make the deep cleaning more comfortable. The deep cleaning may take place over two visits, with half of your mouth being cleaned during each visit. Some patients may need a deep cleaning once each year while other patients may only need them once or twice in their lifetimes. After a deep cleaning, patients with periodontal disease may need to come in for regular cleanings at intervals of three to four months rather than six months.

The Benefits of a Deep Dental Cleaning
A deep cleaning helps prevent advancement of periodontal disease. If periodontal disease is left untreated, it may cause your teeth to become loose, leading to loss of one or more of your teeth. Periodontal disease can also cause you to experience bone loss in your jaws, which can also lead to tooth loss. Having a deep cleaning may help you avoid future dental problems. Deep cleaning can also help to reduce sensitivity due to receding gums.
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Finley Dentistry in Toledo is well known for thoroughness in teeth cleaning and the results are spectacular!

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