Your dental hygiene can be a mirror of your overall health. And this makes sense since often, the first thing you notice in a person is their smile. But there is genuine evidence that supports this claim. A healthy set of teeth is a great indicator that an individual takes care of themselves. But sometimes, gum disease or cavities can sneak up on you and necessitate deep cleaning of the teeth.
So what’s the deal with deep cleaning teeth? In this post, we’ll discuss when necessary to get a deep cleaning and what the procedure entails.
Why Would Teeth Need Deep Cleaning?
Brushing and maintaining good oral hygiene alone isn’t enough to prevent tartar and dental plaque formation. Plaque is a sticky biofilm that accumulates on the surfaces inside the mouth. In particular, when bacteria and food particles mix in saliva and collect on the surfaces of teeth, they can build up and harden into tartar over time. This accumulation of tartar can lead to periodontal disease or gum disease. Gingivitis can result, which is an inflammation of the gums. This infection can progress and become periodontitis, which can even eat away at the bones underneath the teeth.
Getting rid of tartar isn’t possible with a regular toothbrush and toothpaste. It’s hard enough that it requires specialized tools to remove. So, a dentist noticing significant buildup might recommend a deep cleaning procedure.
While a regular cleaning procedure removes tartar and buildup above the gum line, deep cleaning is done below.
How Dentists Do A Deep Cleaning of Your Teeth
The exact names for the procedures involved are scaling and root planing. They’re performed over multiple visits, and each one is different but integral to the process.
Scaling involves removing the layer of plaque and tartar. The dentist uses manual instruments to loosen and remove the hard tartar deposits along with any bacteria. They scrape the surfaces of the teeth and can use ultrasonic instruments to do so.
Root planing involves smoothing the lower, rougher surfaces of the teeth so that it’s difficult for bacteria and plaque to adhere to them. Once the scaling is complete, the dentist begins to descend deep below the gums, particularly infected areas. They polish and smooth the surfaces, which may involve removing cementum and dentin. These are layers that lie around the root and underneath the tooth enamel, respectively.
After the procedure is complete, the dentist flushes and cleans the area and offers instructions to assist recovery. Any pain medication or special kinds of toothpaste are also prescribed.
Conclusion
We hope this post has given you some insight into how deep cleaning teeth works. If done properly by a qualified professional, it can promote proper gum tissue growth and restore your oral health.
At Cypress Dental Clinic, we promise to deliver treatment to every patient with comfort, professionalism, and dedication. As a result, we’re the top dentist available in Cypress, TX, while remaining affordable for our patients. If you have any questions or concerns you’d like us to help with, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (832) 427-6620. We’re ready to help.