Deep Cleaning Vs. Regular Tooth Cleaning

Everyone should get a tooth cleaning every six months to a year. This includes cleaning and polishing and is usually not overly painful for the patient. A patient who suffers from gingivitis or gum disease may require deep cleaning, which involves deep scaling and root planing from the surface of the gums to the root of the tooth. Deep cleaning is usually recommended when the gums have started to pull away from the teeth or tartar has collected on the roots. According to WebMD, deep scaling combined with root planing is one of the most effective ways to fight gum disease.

Ultrasonic Scaling

• The first part of traditional cleaning is the removal of plaque and tartar. Plaque is a buildup of bacteria, acid, food and saliva. Excessive buildup of plaque can cause gingivitis, a type of gum disease. Tartar consists of hardened pieces of plaque that adhere to teeth. Tartar buildup can cause the periodontia, where the bone surrounding the teeth becomes inflamed. Most dentists use ultrasonic tools to clean the teeth. The instrument vibrates the teeth, knocking loose pieces of tartar and debris. The sound resembles a jittery squealing or humming which may seem louder since it is inside of your head. The instrument is rounded and in no way sharp. The time it takes to scale the teeth varies with the amount of plaque and tartar on the teeth.

Hand Scaling

• After the initial scaling, the dentist will use a curved instrument to scrape off any remaining tartar or plaque. The dentist will scrape along the gum line and this may create slight bleeding or discomfort if the patient has sensitive or inflamed gums.

Polishing

• After removing the tartar and plaque, the dentist will apply a toothpaste with a small rubber cup that spins. The paste is added to the cup and then spun around the teeth to make them spotless and smooth.

Fluoride

• Fluoride is applied after polishing to strengthen the teeth. It comes in various flavors. The fluoride foam or gel is placed in tooth trays and placed over the teeth for 30 seconds. Then any remaining fluoride is spit out.

Deep Scaling

• Deep scaling is the first part of a deep cleaning. It removes plaque and toxins below the gum line. A tool is used to scrape all buildup and tartar below the gum line, to the bottom of the pocket. The mouth may be numbed for this procedure.

Root Planing

• After deep scaling, root planning is done to smooth the root surface, enabling the gum tissue to adhere better to the roots that have been cleaned. It is done to prevent losing a tooth and to reduce tooth sensitivity. Root planing also makes it more difficult for plaque to attach to the roots. Depending on the severity and amount of plaque, the cleaning may take more than one visit to complete.