Deep Cleaning

What Is a Deep Cleaning?

A deep cleaning is a hygiene treatment that professionally removes all tartar or calculus from teeth and tooth roots. Tartar, or calculus, is hardened dental plaque that contains harmful bacteria that cause periodontal disease.

We recommend this treatment when periodontal disease has caused gum recession, in which the gums pull away from the teeth, creating gaps. These gaps, called periodontal pockets, can become quite deep and also expose the tooth roots.

Deep periodontal pockets are tricky to clean thoroughly, and the anaerobic conditions are perfect for allowing bacteria to thrive. During a deep cleaning, these pockets are thoroughly cleaned, removing large numbers of bacteria and improving gum health.

How Is Scaling and Root Planing Different from an Ordinary Hygiene Treatment?

During an ordinary hygiene treatment, our hygienist cleans your teeth and just below the gum line. A deep dental cleaning is far more extensive, going well below the gum line so we can clean exposed tooth roots and deep inside periodontal pockets.

Signs You May Need a Deep Dental Cleaning

Some of the most common signs that you might need scaling and root planing include bleeding gums, especially when you brush and floss. If you look at your gums, you may notice they are red, swollen, tender, and have begun to recede.

As gums recede, exposing your tooth roots, tooth sensitivity can increase, especially to temperature changes in foods and beverages. This is because your tooth roots are not protected by tooth enamel, so these sensations can more easily reach the tooth nerve, irritating it.

Other potential signs include bad breath and a nasty taste, and you might notice your bite has begun to change, where teeth are coming loose.

Diagnosing Periodontal Disease

The easiest way to determine if you need a deep cleaning for periodontal disease is to visit us at Dental Pearl. Early diagnosis of gingivitis can prevent progression to periodontitis and reduce the likelihood of needing surgical procedures like a bone graft. Our dentist can gently examine your teeth and gums and quickly identify any signs of infection.

Dental Exam and Diagnostics

We are very gentle when examining your gums and will likely carry out a periodontal evaluation. During this process, we use a small periodontal probe to measure the depth of periodontal pockets between each tooth and its gum.

The depth of these pockets provides a good indication as to whether your gums are infected. If you are a regular patient, we compare these measurements with those taken during previous dental exams.

Diagnostic imaging will be needed and will include digital X-rays and possibly a cone beam CT scan. These help us identify the extent of the infection and assess whether it has damaged the bone levels around your teeth, and, if so, by how much.

Planning Your Treatment

You will receive a custom treatment plan, outlining the procedures we recommend. Sometimes we may use other procedures in conjunction with scaling and root planing, especially if the infection is more severe.

We may prescribe antibiotics to take before treatment, especially if you have a heart condition or a compromised immune system. Every precaution is taken to ensure you receive appropriate and safe treatment.

What to Expect During a Deep Gum Cleaning

We may treat your entire mouth during a single appointment, but if the infection is more severe, we might recommend cleaning your mouth section by section over several appointments.

There is no need to worry that this treatment will be painful, as your gums may be numbed before we begin a dental scaling, especially if your teeth feel more sensitive. Also, we will check frequently to ensure you do not feel any discomfort.

Dental Scaling

The first part of your treatment is to scale your teeth. During dental scaling, we use a small ultrasonic scaler to loosen calculus around your teeth. A hand tool is used to manually scale or scrape the loosened calculus.

Once your teeth are scaled, we begin cleaning the exposed tooth roots. Our dentist will carefully move your gums to provide better access to the tooth roots.

The ultrasonic scaler is then used to loosen calculus from these exposed roots. We then scale these surfaces to remove all calculus thoroughly before smoothing them during root planing.

Root Planing

Scaling your tooth roots leaves them slightly rougher, and root planing is extremely important; smoothing these surfaces makes it harder for new plaque and calculus to adhere and easier for your gum tissue to begin reattaching. When your gums heal, the periodontal pockets shrink, and your gums start to fit more snugly.

Sometimes we use antibiotics topically during this treatment, placing them in the periodontal pockets to help reduce a more severe bacterial infection. We might also prescribe oral antibiotics to take after treatment.

What to Expect after Dental Scaling and Root Planing?

Before you leave Dental Pearl, we will discuss how to keep your mouth clean and what to expect. Any discomfort is minor, and no stitches are required.

Once the anesthetic wears off, your gums may feel a bit more sensitive, which is completely normal. As they settle down, you might wish to avoid eating spicy, hot, or very cold foods, but you can be guided by how you feel, as there aren’t any restrictions, provided eating these foods is comfortable.

Follow-Up Appointments

We will want to see you soon after your scaling and root planing, to assess the results and determine if further treatments are needed.

Some people might only need a single treatment. Others, with more advanced gum disease, may benefit from regular treatments to help control chronic periodontal disease.

Oral Care After Scaling and Root Planing

Our hygienist will likely want to review your daily oral care routine with you after treatment. It is extremely important to ensure you brush and floss thoroughly to help maintain the results of scaling and root planing.

We can help you build a good routine, using the best brushing and flossing techniques and the proper tools. Don’t worry if you find dental floss awkward to use, as there are plenty of alternatives that you will find easier. The main thing is to devise a routine you feel comfortable with and which will soon become a habit.

Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing

This treatment can provide several important benefits, including:

• Improving your gum health by removing harmful bacteria.
• Preventing further gum recession.
• Preventing periodontal disease from advancing.
• Protecting your overall health.
• Freshening your breath, as the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can smell noxious.

Deep cleaning helps remove plaque and tartar below the gumline to prevent gum disease and improve oral health. At Dental Pearl Miami in North Miami Beach, FL, we provide gentle, effective periodontal care tailored to your needs. Book a dental appointment today to keep your gums healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions