If your dentist has recommended a “deep cleaning,” you may be wondering how it is different from the cleaning you usually get, and whether you really need it. The short answer: a regular cleaning keeps healthy gums healthy, while a deep cleaning treats gum disease that has already started below the gumline.
What happens in a regular cleaning?
A regular cleaning (also called a prophylaxis) is preventive care for healthy gums. The hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the visible parts of your teeth and just at the gumline, then polishes the teeth. Most people need this at their routine checkup visits.
What is a deep cleaning?
A deep cleaning is called scaling and root planing. It goes further than a regular cleaning:
- Scaling removes plaque and tartar (also called calculus) from under the gumline, inside the pockets that form between the gums and teeth when gum disease is present. Scaling is the only way to remove calculus from this area.
- Root planing smooths the root surfaces so the gums can heal and reattach more closely to the teeth.
In some cases, antibiotics or antimicrobial rinses may be used to support the deep cleaning. Because the work is done below the gumline, the area is usually numbed so you stay comfortable, and treatment may be split into more than one visit.
Why would you need one?
Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection of the gums that gradually destroys the support of your natural teeth. It is mainly caused by bacteria in plaque, the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar, which only a dental professional can remove.
Over time, the bacteria irritate the gums, which can turn red, swell, and bleed easily. If the irritation continues, the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets. As the disease progresses, the gum tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place break down, and teeth can loosen and eventually be lost. Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum disease than to cavities.
A regular cleaning cannot reach deep into these pockets. Scaling and root planing removes the bacteria and tartar where they are doing the damage. In most cases of early gum disease, a deep cleaning plus good daily care at home can reverse the problem.
Signs you may have gum disease
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Gums pulling away from the teeth, or teeth that look longer
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away
- Loose teeth or a change in your bite
Gum disease is often painless in its early stages, which is why regular exams matter. Your dentist checks the health of your gums at each visit. Read more in our post on bleeding gums: prevention and treatment.
Who is at higher risk?
Besides plaque, factors that affect gum health include smoking, diabetes, stress, clenching and grinding your teeth, certain medications, and poor nutrition. If any of these apply to you, regular checkups are especially important.
After a deep cleaning
It is common to have some tenderness or sensitivity for a few days. Keep brushing gently twice a day and flossing daily. Your gums should look and feel healthier as they heal.
After scaling and root planing, most patients move to periodontal maintenance: specialized cleanings, often scheduled more frequently than regular cleanings, that help keep gum disease from coming back or getting worse. Your dentist will recommend the right schedule for you.
Is it covered by insurance?
Many dental plans cover medically necessary gum treatment, but coverage and frequency limits vary from plan to plan, including Medicaid plans. We will check your benefits and explain them before treatment. See our insurance information and financing options.
Book a checkup
If your gums bleed or it has been a while since your last cleaning, call our Downers Grove office at (630) 884-8174 or our Aurora office at (630) 884-8194, or request an appointment online. Learn more about deep cleanings at Alivio Dental.