We all try to make time for the dentist, but sometimes life can get in the way. Routine exams and cleanings are a very important part of maintaining your oral hygiene, and missing these regular cleanings can lead to the buildup of plaque, tartar, and bacteria on your teeth and gums. Plaque, tartar, and bacteria can lead to oral health problems like cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Even if you miss a couple of cleanings or your oral hygiene hasn’t been the best, it doesn’t mean that all hope is lost; the dentist may recommend a deep cleaning to get your teeth and gums clean and back in good health.
Deep cleaning is much more involved than your typical dental cleaning, so the dentist will generally only suggest one if it has been a while since your last cleaning or they notice signs of poor hygiene. If there are any underlying issues, such as cavities, the dentist will treat those first before setting the patient up for deep cleaning.
Deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, is used to reverse advanced gum disease but may also be necessary in other cases. The primary difference between a deep and standard cleaning is that the dentist near you will go below the gum line to reach areas that are normally hard to reach and even harder to clean.
This cleaning will also focus on certain problem areas of the mouth that are more likely to hide debris and bacteria. The spaces between the teeth are prime breeding grounds for bacteria, which, when left alone, can lead to cavities and even infection. In the gum pockets and below the gum line are two other areas that can be problematic to clean.
Patients can expect this procedure to take one to two hours to complete depending on how much work is needed to finish the cleaning process. Afterward, the dentist will likely recommend oral hygiene products and schedule the next regular exam and cleaning.
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