Deep teeth cleaning is a specific procedure performed by a dentist to treat periodontal and gum disease. Everyone has some form of plaque buildup during their life. However, a deep clean isn't required for everyone. They are only recommended if you haven't kept up a dental regimen and had regular cleanings twice a year or if you have deep pockets between your teeth and gums.
Difference Between Regular Cleanings and Deep Cleanings
Regular cleaning is performed to maintain healthy gums. When gums are healthy, they have shallow, small spaces between them and your teeth. Regular cleanings are recommended for patients with good oral health and who don't suffer from infection, gum recession, bone loss, and bleeding gums.
Deep cleaning would be necessary when you notice your gums bleeding while brushing or flossing. When your gums bleed easily, this means they are easily irritated and have deep pockets between them and your teeth. In this case, you should consult a dentist because you may have gingivitis or inflammation. More severe ailments can occur if mild gum disease goes untreated, such as periodontitis and other serious health issues.
Deep cleaning entails scaling and root planing. In the scaling process, plaque and tartar are removed from the teeth surfaces and the deep pockets between the teeth and gums. Then during planing, your dentist will use a scaling instrument to remove the plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth roots.
If You Don't Get a Deep Cleaning
Suppose you have inflammation, bleeding gums, or sensitivity. In that case, it's vital that you have a dentist check your mouth and perform a complete examination before things get worse than they already are. If the space between your tooth and gum is deep, a dentist may recommend that you get a deep cleaning treatment. Not getting a deep cleaning can result in an infected tooth that can risk your smile and lead to heart disease, abscesses, and much worse. After a deep cleaning is finished and all of the food particles and plaque is removed, your gums will have to heal and reform around your teeth. This process takes 6-8 weeks. It is irreversible if you have periodontal bone loss and gives plaque an easy pathway to creep back into your gums and cause more inflammation and possible infection.