About 32% of adults between the ages of 20 and 44 have untreated dental caries. Meanwhile, only 65% of adults have visited a dentist in the past year. Without regular cleanings, you could put your oral health at risk.
Your oral health could impact your overall health, too.
If it’s been a while since your last appointment, you might want to schedule a dental deep cleaning. What exactly is a deep cleaning and how can it benefit your health?
Keep reading to find out! In this guide, we’ll review everything you need to know before your next appointment.
Read on to learn more!
What is a Dental Deep Cleaning Procedure?
First, let’s take a deep dive into the dental deep cleaning procedure.
Your dental hygiene is essential for clean teeth, fighting gum disease, and preventing bad breath. Failing to maintain proper dental hygiene can cause issues like loose teeth, receding gums, and bleeding gums. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, contact Dr. Monika and schedule a dental deep cleaning appointment.
This procedure is also referred to as root planing or periodontal scaling.
Leaving food particles between your teeth allows bacteria to grow and spread. Over time, this bacteria can become plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that clings to the surface of your teeth.
Each time you brush, you’re removing that plaque. When left unattended, however, the plaque can harden. In time, it can form into tartar.
You’ll need a dentist like Dr. Monika to remove tartar from your teeth. Otherwise, you could develop gum disease such as gingivitis.
Dental deep cleanings are a little different than normal appointments. A regular dentist appointment will remove plaque and tartar above the gumline.
With a deep cleaning procedure, you can remove plaque and tartar below the gumline.
If you’ve developed gum disease, this procedure is essential. Gum disease causes space to form between your teeth and gums. Tartar and plaque could get trapped there as a result.
Remember, you can’t clean tartar alone. You’ll need to schedule a deep cleaning with Dr. Monika.
Scaling and Planing
You might need to schedule your dental deep cleaning procedure over the span of two or more visits. Dr. Monika might determine if you need gum scaling and root planing as well.
Scaling involves removing tartar and plaque from below your gum line. Planing, however, will remove tartar and plaque on the roots of your teeth. This procedure will help reduce the amount of space between your teeth and gums.
Scaling and planing ensure your gums reattach to your teeth properly.
How long does a dental cleaning take? These visits can last between one and two hours.
What to Expect Afterward
It helps to know what to expect after our first dental deep cleaning appointment.
The scaling and planing process can cause some discomfort. Dr. Monika might provide a topical or local anesthetic. Numbing your gums can reduce your pain symptoms.
You could experience sensitivity afterward as well. Swollen gums and minor bleeding are common, too. This is normal.
You can reduce your sensitivity afterward by eating only soft foods in the days following your procedure. Otherwise, avoid extremely cold or hot foods and drinks.
Ask Dr. Monika if you should take over-the-counter pain medications to relieve your pain and swelling.
Is your immune system compromised as a result of plaque and tartar buildup? Dr. Monika might determine you need antibiotics after your appointment. Taking antibiotics can reduce your risk of an infection after the treatment.
Otherwise, there’s some chance a dental deep cleaning will release bacteria into your bloodstream.
What are the Benefits of a Deep Cleaning?
Are dental deep cleanings necessary? If you’re concerned about the state of your teeth and gums, yes!
Many patients experience long-term benefits after their deep cleaning appointment. For example, you can stop the development of gum disease before it becomes periodontitis.
About 3.5 billion people across the globe have an oral disease. In fact, about 10% of the global population has severe periodontal disease. This form of gum disease could cause you to lose your teeth.
Other symptoms of periodontitis include:
- Changes in the position of your teeth
- Pain while chewing
- Bad breath
- Gums that bleed while brushing or flossing
- A foul taste in your mouth
- Receding gums
- A buildup of tartar and plaque on your teeth
- Tender, swollen, red gums
- An inflammatory response
A deep cleaning can also help you treat a current infection. Without treatment, the infection will only get worse. Instead, you can stop the problem at the source and promote healing.
Remember, you can’t clean away plaque and tartar if it develops below your gum line. Instead, you’ll need Dr. Monika’s help. By scheduling a deep cleaning, you can ensure your teeth are clean from top to bottom.
Otherwise, you’re leaving your teeth vulnerable. Instead, you can protect the roots of your teeth.
By protecting the roots of your teeth, you’re also preventing tooth loss!
Remember, gingivitis and periodontitis can also cause bad breath. Bad breath develops because of the bacteria that linger in your mouth. A deep cleaning can get rid of this bacteria, allowing you to avoid bad breath.
By scheduling regular deep cleanings, you can protect your teeth and gums before periodontitis develops!
Potential Disadvantages
There are a few potential cons to deep cleanings, though.
Remember, pain and sensitivity are both common. These symptoms should only last between five to seven days.
In some cases, a deep cleaning could cause nerve damage. This procedure doesn’t guarantee your gums will reattach to your teeth, either.
If you develop an infection, it could compromise your immune system.
Make sure to talk to Dr. Monika. They’ll let you know if you’re an ideal candidate for this procedure.
Squeaky Clean: 5 Amazing Benefits of Dental Deep Cleaning Appointments
Want to give your oral health a boost? Consider scheduling a dental deep cleaning. By scheduling regular appointments, you can stop gum disease in its tracks!
Worried about the state of your teeth and gums. We’re here to help.
Schedule your next deep cleaning appointment with Dr. Monika today to get started.