A deep teeth cleaning, also referred to as gum therapy, may be recommended in dental care to clean the gums and teeth down to the roots. While regular teeth cleaning is a form of preventative maintenance, a deep cleaning can treat gum disease.
Deep cleaning may be necessary when a patient does not have regular professional cleanings or when a patient has deep pockets between the gum and tooth. Many patients only require one deep teeth cleaning, followed by regular professional cleanings. The necessity of a deep cleaning depends on the patient's oral health.
When a person eats food, the particles mix with saliva and create bacteria that sticks to the teeth. This sticky film is known as plaque. Brushing teeth can help remove some of the plaque between teeth, but a toothbrush cannot eliminate all of it. When plaque is left on the teeth, it begins to calcify and forms tartar. Accumulating tartar leads to gum disease.
Gum disease includes gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums. Untreated gingivitis becomes periodontitis, an infection that can eat away the bone that supports a patient's teeth. Gum disease causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, creating deep pockets. When a patient has deep pockets in the mouth, deep cleaning is necessary.
Before the deep teeth cleaning, the dentist performs an examination. A dentist can physically examine the patient's teeth or use X-rays to analyze the state of the mouth. A deep cleaning may take two or more visits, with each visit taking about one to two hours.
There are two parts to a deep cleaning: scaling and root planing. Scaling occurs when the dentist removes all of the tartar and plaque above the gumline and below it. Root planing involves smoothing the patient's teeth roots so the gums can reattach.
While patients cannot reverse gum disease, they can get treatments and take action to help prevent progression. Ignoring periodontitis can result in tooth loss, receding gums, alveolar bone loss, and loose teeth. Healthy gums protect the tooth's roots, and so gum disease can make it harder to treat decay.
Patients with a current infection may benefit from a deep teeth cleaning. A cleaning treats the infection and allows the gums to heal. It also protects the roots of the individual's teeth. Without a deep cleaning, patients with gum disease may suffer from bad breath. The cleaning rids the mouth of bacteria and helps with halitosis.
Gum disease and dental decay can lead to gum sensitivity, tooth loss, and bone loss. If a patient has gum disease, a deep cleaning can help the individual treat the symptoms of the disease and slow the progression. A deep teeth cleaning allows the dentist to access hard-to-reach places below the gumline. How often a patient should schedule a deep cleaning depends on the patient's dental health and the dentist's recommendations.
Request an appointment here: https://dentistryonpark.com or call Dentistry on Park, LLC at (781) 443-8131 for an appointment in our Stoughton office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Deep Teeth Cleaning in Stoughton, MA.
Even though regular dental cleanings are important for oral health, many people fail to prioritize them. A recent National Health Interview Survey revealed that more than 30% of American adults have not had a dental checkup in over one year, even though the American Dental Association recommends seeing a dentist at least once every six…
Deep teeth cleaning involves pulling back a patient’s gums so their teeth roots can be cleaned and polished. The rest of the person’s teeth are also cleaned to remove plaque and tartar deposits. Deep teeth cleaning is typically performed as a treatment for gum disease. The procedure might also be recommended for patients who have…
If you have never seen a dentist, it has been a long time since your last visit, or perhaps you had a bad experience at some point, it would help a lot to know what to expect at a dental checkup. Dental professionals work hard to put every client at ease. Regardless of the treatment…
Every six months, you should have a dental checkup. During each visit, a hygienist cleans the patient’s teeth. Then, a dentist looks for any potential or existing problems. The main goal is to correct an issue before it worsens. That way, you enjoy healthy teeth and gums from one appointment to the next. Keep reading…
A denture repair should be your top priority when your denture breaks or becomes damaged. This prosthetic device fills out all the empty spaces in your mouth. It is crucial to care for your denture since the missing teeth can compromise your eating habits, speech, and appearance. This dental device is durable enough to handle…
Tooth extraction can be a daunting prospect for anyone, let alone children. Fortunately, our team can help parents learn everything they need to know about tooth extraction. As a parent, it is natural to be concerned about your child's well-being during a medical procedure. Knowing what to expect before, during, and after this common dental…