Deep Clean vs. Home Oral Care

Brushing and flossing are the fundamentals of home oral care – you must observe these practices to maintain strong and healthy teeth. If you don’t, the teeth weaken, making you susceptible to cavities, tooth decay, and tooth loss. You can also suffer more severe conditions like gum disease, a precursor to serious illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.

On the other hand, deep cleaning involves the removal of bacteria, plaque, tartar, and stubborn stains from the teeth. It intends to keep your gums and teeth clean like home oral care. 

What is a Deep Clean?

Deep cleaning is a professional procedure that removes stains from teeth and gums. Dentists recommend it after noticing extensive tartar buildup on the crowns and roots of your teeth, resulting in bacterial infections in the gums.

Deep cleaning involves two steps – deep scaling and root planing.Deep scaling is the manual scraping of the teeth to remove tartar, plaque, and stains. The dentist uses an ultrasonic dental scaler during the procedure. 

Root planing involves the repetitive rubbing of the roots to remove rough spots that trap and harbour bacteria, increasing the risk of bacterial infections. The process cleans and strengthens your gums, making it easier to reattach to the teeth.

Do I Need a Deep Cleaning?

Your dentist or dental hygienist is the most qualified person to recommend a deep cleaning. If they notice large pockets of space between your teeth and gums (4mm or larger) during checkups, they will recommend the procedure. Such pockets are usually a sign of increased risk or the early stages of periodontal disease. If left untreated, the spaces harbour bacteria, resulting in gum recession and jawbone deterioration. Over time, you become prone to tooth loss.

Many people suffer from gum disease worldwide, so don’t worry if your dentist recommends deep cleaning. It’s best to embrace the procedure because treating gum disease lowers the risk of severe illnesses like dementia, diabetes,and heart disease. Undergoing a deep clean contributes to better overall well-being.

How Deep Cleaning Treats Gum Disease

So, what’s involved in a deep clean, and why is it better than my toothbrush? As mentioned earlier, deep cleaning combines two steps to treat gum disease.

Scaling removes the plaque and tartar on your teeth. If the pockets between the teeth and gums exceed 6mm, the procedure extends to the roots. 

After scaling, the dentist performs planning to smoothen the tooth surface. The procedure removes the rough spots, prompting the regrowth of the connective gum tissue and re-attachment to teeth.

What are the Disadvantages of Deep Cleaning?

Despite its benefits, deep cleaning has potential risks. For instance, the procedure can cause nerve damage, making some parts of your oral cavity irresponsive to various stimuli. Like most invasive procedures, it is painful and can induce hypersensitivity by exposing the pulp.

Moreover, root planing doesn’t guarantee the re-attachment of gums to teeth. Instead, it might worsen gum recession, increasing the risk of jawbone deterioration.

Also, patients with compromised immunity are at a high risk of contracting infections.

The most common side effects of deep cleaning are pain and sensitivity. However, they usually subside within two months after the procedure.

Aftercare for Deep Cleaning Treatment

As mentioned above, pain and sensitivity are inevitable after undergoing deep cleaning. Your dentist will prescribe painkillers to relieve the pain and antibiotics to prevent infections. They may also recommend mouthwash and insert medication for your periodontal pockets. If the issues persist, go for an additional checkup.

Besides, it’s crucial to maintain your home oral care routine. Brushing and flossing ensure the permanence of the results of deep cleaning.

Wrapping Up

Maintaining strong and healthy teeth requires discipline and commitment. Besides adhering to a strict oral care routine, you must avoid sugary foods, alcohol, smoking, and other lifestyle choices that risk your teeth and gums. You must also visit your dentist every six months and undergo deep cleaning to prevent severe illnesses caused by untreated gum disease.

If you don’t have a dentist yet, you can check out this dentist in Wayne to get started.