Visits to your general dentist are done routinely, which for most people is twice per year or every six months. Sometimes, your dentist may recommend a deep dental cleaning. What is that? In this article, we will review what a dental cleaning is and when you might be due for one.
Just like spring cleaning in your home, your teeth sometimes need a deep clean as well. Dental deep cleans are those that clean between the teeth and gums, all the way down to the roots. They also may be called gum therapy, but it refers to the same treatment.
Your general dentist may recommend a deep dental cleaning for a couple of different reasons. You may need a deep cleaning if you are experiencing symptoms of periodontal diseases, such as:
These symptoms may indicate gingivitis or periodontal disease, which, if left untreated, may put you at risk of losing teeth and bone. Plaque is the combination of leftover food and saliva, which make a sticky substance coating the teeth. Tartar is the hardened form of plaque and is composed of bacteria, proteins, and saliva.
The buildup of the two, which can develop from a lack of brushing or improper brushing, can cause your gums to become inflamed.
The inflammation causes the gums to pull away from your teeth, which becomes more of a problem because it allows the plaque to move below the gum line, where you are unable to reach with your toothbrush.
In your general dental visits, your dentist or dental hygienist will examine your teeth and gums to check for pocketing, which are gaps between the teeth mentioned above. If those pockets exceed a depth of five millimeters or more, you may need deep cleaning done.
Deep dental cleanings consist of two parts, both of which help remove the buildup of plaque and tartar. The first phase is scaling, which removes the buildup congregated under the gumline. Root planing, the second phase, smoothens the root of the tooth so the gums can adhere to the tooth again.
The process can be painful, so the patient is usually dosed with a local anesthetic. At many general dentist’s offices, the treatment procedure is split into two visits, each of which will target one-half of the mouth.
Prevention of gingivitis and periodontal disease starts at home. Since both of these conditions are preventable for the majority of people, maintaining healthy brushing and flossing habits should help keep you from needing a deep clean.
Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day is recommended to eliminate the buildup of unwanted plaque and tartar. Keeping your pearly whites clean will help you avoid the dreaded recommendation from your dentist for deep cleaning.
Request an appointment here: https://www.saidental.net or call Sai Dental Care at (707) 509-1146 for an appointment in our Santa Rosa office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Santa Rosa, CA.
Our general dentist recommends brushing with a toothpaste that contains fluoride to give your teeth the highest level of protection possible against tooth decay. Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical that helps to re-mineralize and strengthen teeth enamel.Fluoride can be found in natural bodies of water, as well as many fruits and vegetables like grapes…
Considering cosmetic dental work from a general dentist? Although cosmetic dentistry is its own field, general dentists also offer an array of procedures that can be used to improve the way that the teeth look. There are a lot of different procedures that can be performed in a general dentistry setting. Keep reading to find…
When trying to find a dentist online, there are several factors to keep in mind to conduct a thorough and successful search. No one should skimp on this task, as a dentist plays a major role in maintaining oral and overall health. Changing dentists down the road can be a hassle, so getting it right…
When a patient is trying to find a dentist, there are specific questions that can help narrow down the search and match the patient to the right provider. You may be searching for a new dentist in the same town, or perhaps there is an urgent need to find a dentist after a move to…
Invisalign Go is a way to straighten teeth that are crooked or crowding, and is…
When trying to find a dentist online, there are several factors to keep in mind…
When a patient is trying to find a dentist, there are specific questions that can…
Making a dental appointment twice a year may seem excessive or it can be inconvenient…
Everyone who undergoes a full mouth reconstruction spends time recovering. This period can be different…
It is important to find a dentist to perform routine preventative services as well as…
