Deep Cleaning

When You Need It and Why It Is Necessary

In addition to brushing and flossing every day, dental hygiene professionals recommend a teeth cleaning once every six months. In many cases, if patients skip a cleaning or two, they may discover that they have accumulated an unhealthy amount of plaque or bacteria in the mouth. This can lead to the development of periodontists disease, gingivitis, or other damaging oral condition like cavities, or tooth loss. A deep dental cleaning is a more involved process that can eliminate this harmful debris and bacteria that has collected underneath the gum line.

What is A Deep Cleaning?

A deep cleaning is sometimes known as a scaling and root planning process. It is a treatment option for patients who are exhibiting signs of gum disease. It is often a result of poor dental hygiene but can also be brought on by excessive consumption of things that can affect your oral health, such as lots of sugar or cigarette smoke. If you are exhibiting signs of gum disease, such as bad breath, bleeding gums, or receding gums, a Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation (CPE) may help to determine whether a deep cleaning is necessary. During the evaluation, a special tool called a periodontal probe can be used to measure the size of the spaces between your teeth this gums. A healthy pocket depth is around 3 to 5 millimeters or less, and patients who have deeper spaces may be suffering from gum disease.

What Can Be Expected From the Procedure?

First things first, a consultation will be required so Dr. Susana Kulangara can get a better understanding of what your oral health care needs are. He will do a check up to determine if you are an ideal candidate for a deep cleaning procedure. During the actual procedure, the dental hygienist will remove the built-up plaque and calculus from in between your teeth and gums, the surface of the teeth, and from within the mouth. More severe cases may require a root planning, which is necessary when bacteria have accumulated around the root. A local anesthetic can be applied to avoid any discomfort and the dental hygienist will employ scalers, ultrasonic cleaners, or lasers to eliminate the tartar. Finally, an antiseptic rinse is done to clean the area and a topical antibiotic may be applied. In some cases, the procedure will be done in two or four sessions on different areas of the mouth. This will depend on the patient’s unique needs and requirements.

Keeping Up With Your Dental Hygiene

After a deep cleaning, your teeth or gums may be sensitive or sore and you may find that they bleed a bit after brushing. A follow-up appointment will be made a few weeks after your deep cleaning so Dr. Susana Kulangara can check on how you are healing. It is absolutely crucial that you keep up with your dental hygiene routine following a dental cleaning. This means regular brushing, flossing, rinsing, and visiting Advanced Dental Arts every six months to undergo a regular teeth cleaning.

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