What is a Deep Clean at the Dentist?
A deep clean is often an hour long hygiene session that is more extensive to help remove plaque and tartar build-up, particularly in gum disease cases.
A deep clean at the dentist, is technically referred to as scaling and root planing, which basically describes the process of using special techniques to get rid of plaque, tartar and bacteria below the gum line (right down to your tooth roots). Now, this might sound painful. But it’s really not – and you would have had a deep clean several times in your lifetime without even realising it.
Is dental deep cleaning painful?
A deep clean is carried out under a local anaesthetic by a hygienist or a dentist and is mostly recommended in cases of gingivitis or gum disease. It’s a great treatment to prevent gum disease from advancing and causing future complications like receding gums or tooth loss.
Deep cleaning sessions are typically 30-60 minutes long and can sometimes take place over two or more visits for advanced gum scaling and root planing. The procedure is not painful, and patients with minimal gum pocket depths experience the least discomfort. As pain is relative, some patients might feel slight pressure or some sensitivity after the deep cleaning process as the gums begin the process of healing.
At most, patients can expect a few days of sore or sensitive gums, which might bleed as they heal, but they’ll be back to normal in no time. While the gums will take several weeks to heal behind the scenes, patients should not experience any symptoms after the first few days as the gums reattach.
What does a dentist deep clean involve?
A deep teeth cleaning procedure is divided into two parts: periodontal scaling and root planing. Both aspects of the treatment involve the use of electronic or ultrasonic instruments alongside scaling tools to remove plaque and tartar build-up deep below the gum line.
The procedure is beneficial for patients who need extra protection for their tooth roots and need help in promoting healthy gums.
While deep dental cleaning might make some patients feel nervous or concerned about how their teeth will look after the pockets have been cleaned, it’s important to know that it’s a very safe, common procedure that will not cause teeth to become loose or fall out.
On the contrary, deep cleaning is instrumental in preventing the progression of gum disease and helping restore gums to optimal health.
A deep dental clean is essential for preventing gum disease from getting worse, which will cause your gums to keep receding. However, once the bacteria has been removed during a deep clean, you’ll notice that your gums will stop swelling, which might make them appear to shrink.
A deep clean will not cause the gums to recede, but you might notice a difference to your smile following the procedure. Speaking to the dentist about this can answer any worries you might have regarding a deep clean and we can recommend additional procedures to make reduce the appearance of receding gums.
As professional deep cleans remove plaque, tartar and surface stains, patients can expect the appearance of their smile to gain a little boost as teeth appear lighter, cleaner and brighter.
