Visiting your dentist for a professional cleaning twice a year helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. However, if life gets in the way and you stop making dental cleanings a priority, Dr. Whitney and the staff at Country Club Dental may suggest you get a dental deep cleaning instead. What is a dental deep cleaning, you ask? We’re happy to explain!
Dental Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning
Most people get a routine dental cleaning once every six months. During each visit, your teeth and gums are gently cleaned by a registered dental hygienist. The hygienist removes plaque from your teeth and has an opportunity to check your mouth for any signs of cavities or gum disease.
If your hygienist does see signs of gum disease, you might need a dental deep cleaning. This special treatment is designed to help eliminate gum disease. If your hygienist or dentist notices you have the early stages of gum disease—also called gingivitis—or the more progressed form, periodontal disease, they will suggest a deep cleaning to help get your teeth and gums healthy again.
What Happens During a Deep Cleaning?
When you have gum disease, your gums pull away from your teeth, forming “pockets” that allow bacteria to hide out below the gum line. Those bacteria will eventually form plaque and tartar on the roots of your teeth. A dental deep cleaning allows a hygienist or dentist to get below the gum line to remove any build-up on the roots of your teeth.
There are three stages to a deep cleaning:
- First, the hygienist or dentist administers an anesthetic injection to numb the teeth and gums. Because a deep cleaning is more intense than a regular cleaning, the anesthetic will help you stay as comfortable as possible during the procedure.
- Next, scaling and planing take place. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line, and root planing smooths out the surface of a tooth’s root. Scaling and planing help stop plaque from building up again on the roots of the teeth.
- Finally, the hygienist or dentist will professionally clean and floss your teeth, just like in a regular cleaning.
Because a dental deep cleaning is more involved than a regular cleaning, we normally schedule the procedure in two appointments. The hygienist cleans one-half of your mouth during one appointment, followed by a second appointment a week or two later for the other half of your mouth. Deep cleaning appointments also take a bit longer than regular cleanings, usually around one-and-a-half hours.
Dental Deep Cleaning in Flagstaff
We know a dental deep cleaning may sound scary, but the same goes for any dental procedure that you‘ve never had before. The gentle and patient staff at Country Club Dental in Flagstaff will walk you through the entire process, making sure you’re comfortable throughout the entire experience. If it’s been a while since you’ve had your teeth professionally cleaned, call us at 928-526-4314 to make an appointment today.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/24/21). Photo by Caroline LM on Unsplash
