The remnants of tartar and plague on one’s teeth create an environment in which bacteria thrive. When these bacteria multiply, they irritate your gums and make them bleed more often and more easily. You will notice this particular symptom, especially when eating or while brushing your teeth. This signifies numerous problems, the most plausible of which is a gum disease called gingivitis.
What is deep dental cleaning?
Before we answer that question, let’s first clear the confusion most people have between root planing and scaling. Root planing is the procedure of removing infections in the tooth structure to smoothen the surface at the root of the teeth. Scaling, on the other hand, is the procedure of removing tartar from the tooth’s surface.
In deep cleaning, these two processes blend into one. In the case of gum disease and/or gum pocketing, the pockets around your teeth deepen, allowing deposits of tartar to form beneath the gum line. Your dentist will scale away the tartar deposits, followed by the procedure of root planing as necessary. Roughness on the surface and around the edges can be planed to give off a smooth and silky feel.
Duration of the Procedure
Depending on extensiveness of the rough surfaces and the deepness of the pockets, the procedure of deep cleaning, in most if not all, is divided into quadrants and spread over a specific number of appointments. This allows the procedure to be completed thoroughly, as time is given in between procedures to conduct them in an organized manner; with the blend of rooting and scaling procedures being broken down into shorter and more manageable appointments.
Sometimes, when the gum pockets are relatively deeper than the norm, there may be some discomfort, even with numbing. Hence, the answer to this question depends entirely on the severity of your gum and root condition. The dentist can numb the area if the process proves to be too uncomfortable for you. Don’t hesitate to discuss or request this from your dentist.
If you are against injectable anesthetics, you can opt for another variation of anesthetic as well. This special non-injection device delivers a topical anesthetic gel into your gum pockets, after which the procedure does become relatively painless.
Deep cleaning should be an essential part of your dental hygiene, as bacteria that quietly fester in your gum pockets can cause major problems down the road. If you do happen to have gingivitis, your dentist may recommend this procedure, as well as an antiseptic mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine. You will also be shown how to floss your teeth effectively. Not only does deep cleaning remove bacteria, but after the procedure, your bleeding gums will finally be able to heal, and hold your teeth firmly in place too.
Brenham Family Dental is located just northwest of Houston, TX, and we offer a wide range of dental services and can provide you with the best in dental care. If you are concerned about the health of your teeth and gums, allow us to provide you an evaluation that can help you determine if a deep cleaning is right for you.