Brushing and flossing regularly are insufficient to prevent dental decay, tooth loss, gum disease, and other oral health problems. In addition to maintaining good oral hygiene at home, you need biannual dental examinations and cleanings to remove plaque and cavities. Your dentist in Plymouth, MA may recommend a deep cleaning to safeguard your oral health if you have gum disease or periodontal problems.
What Is the Definition of Deep Cleaning?
A deep cleaning, also known as gum scaling or root planing, removes tartar and plaque below the dental root’s gumline. Plaque is a bacteria-filled, viscous film that forms when saliva and food particles combine. Plaque is not entirely removed by brushing and flossing; the remaining plaque hardens into tartar, causing periodontal disease.
Plaque and tartar above the gingival line are removed during routine dental cleanings, which occur during routine dental appointments. If plaque has spread below the gum line to the dental roots, a thorough cleaning is required to prevent gum disease and tooth loss.
Who Should Receive a Deep Clean?
During routine dental examinations, your dentist examines your gums for signs of gum disease, such as red, swollen, or bleeding gums. Because periodontal disease causes gums to draw away from teeth, we also measure the distance between your teeth and gums. With time, the spaces between the gums and teeth enlarge, allowing for greater bacterial colonization.
If you haven’t visited the dentist in a while, you may experience gum disease symptoms such as bad odor, tender gums, sensitive teeth, and bite changes. If your dentist determines that you cannot reverse moderate gingivitis with brushing and flossing at home, a deep clean is required to preserve your oral health.
What Occurs Throughout a Thorough Cleaning?
Scaling and root planing are the two procedures included in thorough cleansing. The first stage is scaling, in which your dentist removes tartar and plaque from below the gum line.
Planing the tooth roots makes it difficult for microorganisms to adhere to them. To eliminate bacteria lurking in hard-to-reach areas, the dentist may apply an antibiotic gel or suggest an antibiotic rinse.
After Complete Cleaning
Your gum tissue will be sensitive after a deep cleaning, so consume soft foods such as mashed potatoes and yogurt and avoid excessively cold or hot items. Your dentist will instruct you on proper brushing and flossing methods and suggest an antimicrobial toothpaste to prevent the growth of bacteria. Suppose you fail to adhere to an appropriate oral hygiene routine. In that case, gum disease can return after a deep cleaning, so brush and floss daily, maintain regular dental appointments, and consume a healthy diet.
