“To eliminate bacterial levels and prevent bone loss, deep cleaning should be performed.” Elson adds that there are also connections between periodontal disease and systemic diseases in other parts of the body like the heart and lungs.
If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, and suffer from bone loss, inflammation, and/or tartar has accumulated beneath the gumline, then the hygienist will need to clean 'deeper' below the gumline, and this is often known as a dental deep cleaning.
Prevent the need for another deep cleaning by following these basic steps to prevent gum disease: Brush twice daily with a fluoridated, antimicrobial toothpaste. Clean between your teeth daily to remove plaque with floss or an interdental product. Rinse daily with a mouthwash or mouth rinse designed to prevent plaque.
The disadvantages of deep cleaning teeth include nerve damage and potential infections if you have a compromised immune system. The cleaning might cause pain, and sensitivity in the treatment doesn't guarantee reattachment of your gums to the teeth. The cleaning might even cause further gum recession.
Immediately after a deep cleaning you might have some discomfort and aching. After your mouth has had some time to heal you should notice some of the following improvements: Decreased bleeding when brushing and flossing. Better smelling breath.
Although deep teeth cleanings are uncomfortable, you will likely not experience severe discomfort because you receive local anesthesia or topical anesthetic to numb your gums. However, you can expect some sensitivity to the procedure with swelling and minor bleeding.
On average, it takes about 5 – 7 days for your gums to heal after deep cleaning. During this period, it's possible to experience minor gum soreness, swelling, and tooth sensitivity.
The American Dental Association recommends you see your dentist at least once a year for deep cleaning. If you have a history of gum disease, you should get your teeth cleaned twice a year to prevent infections or complications.
You can have deep cleanings whenever it feels necessary. Still, make sure you have at least two dental cleanings per year. Deep cleanings are for patients with oral issues like gum disease and tooth decay every three months. Consult with your dentist to determine how often you should have deep cleanings.
While regular cleaning focuses more on the gum line to scale and polish the teeth' outer surface, deep cleaning teeth involves removing bacteria colonies and tartar from the roots of the teeth.
Your dentist will probably recommend a deep cleaning if the space between your tooth and gum (called a pocket) is more than four millimeters deep. An infected tooth is not only a risk to your smile; oral infections can lead to abscesses, heart disease, or much worse.
While any gum loss experienced due to gum disease will not grow back, the majority of patients can expect their gums to reattach after undergoing a deep cleaning. This is because all of the harmful bacteria has been removed, allowing the gums to once again be healthy.
For some, the “weird” feeling may be a sense of cleanliness by not having a film of plaque on their teeth. For others, they may experience temporary tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity most often occurs after a dentist performs a deep cleaning which involves more contact with a patient's gums than regular cleaning.
Avoid sharp or crunch foods, like nuts and popcorn, for at least 24 hours post-treatment. Avoid hot foods and beverages, like hot soup or hot coffee, for about 48 hours post-treatment. Avoid highly acidic foods, like oranges and tomatoes, for at least 48 hours post-treatment.
A deep teeth cleaning should take between 1-4 hours. First, your hygienist will numb you by injecting a local anesthetic. Sometimes, the hygienist will need one hour per quadrant to do the proper scaling and root planing of all the root surfaces in one quadrant.
Deep cleaning typically doesn't require numbing your mouth; the dentist will decide whether to numb your mouth based on the condition of your teeth's roots and the depth of the pockets. If you do feel any discomfort or pain, let your dentist know.
Dental cleanings are necessary as they help to ensure that patients' teeth and gums are healthy. They are a very important part of one's overall oral care routine as these cleanings help to remove any plaque or tartar buildup that can lead to mouth problems, like tooth decay.
The average time for a deep cleaning visit is approximately 45 minutes. In most cases, a deep cleaning will take two visits to clean both sides of the mouth.
During a deep dental cleaning, the hygienist will numb the gum tissue and then use specialized tools to scrape the plaque away from the tooth, including the root surfaces beneath the gumline. Typically, scaling and root planing are done in at least two – if not four – separate appointments.
A common belief amongst patients is that having your teeth cleaned every 6 months is adequate in maintaining good oral health. While this is true for a small percentage of the population, majority of the patients need a professional cleaning every 3 to 4 months.
Fortunately, if you do develop gum disease, even the more advanced stages of the disease, you're not entirely out of options. A deep cleaning, which includes scaling and root planing, is one of the primary ways your dental team can help repair the damage that periodontitis has caused.
Avoiding coffee for hours after your dental cleaning is critical because the dark dyes in coffee can stain your teeth. The dark components can make their way through the enamel in your teeth. The compounds can eventually cause the teeth to become dark and unappealing.
With gum disease, you won't keep your teeth for long. In fact, unlike tooth decay which impacts your smile one tooth at a time, periodontitis can cause you to lose multiple, if not all, teeth at once. Gum disease starts small as a mild form called gingivitis.