A standard cleaning may not be enough for some patients and a deeper clean may be needed. Learn about the process involved in the deep cleaning of teeth below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that 26% of adults in America have untreated dental decay? Annual deep cleaning of teeth is the key to preventing this type of teeth and gum disease. Unfortunately, many people are scared of going to the dentist. Just the words \u2018deep cleaning\u2019 is enough to send some patients off shivering.

Luckily, deep cleaning doesn\u2019t need to be frightening. In this article, we\u2019ll walk you through everything the procedure entails. That way you\u2019ll know exactly what to expect next time you schedule a visit. Let\u2019s get started!

What Is Deep Cleaning of Teeth?<\/span>
Deep cleaning is different from a regular dental cleaning. This type of procedure goes below the gum line. It does this to clean hard-to-reach spots like the roots and pockets at the base of your tooth. A substance known as tartar can build-up around the exterior and roots of teeth. If left unchecked, then this tartar can cause serious bacterial infections.

As such, dentists use a technique known as periodontal scaling and root planing to remove this substance. If the tartar can\u2019t be removed using manual scraping, then they\u2019ll also use an ultrasonic removal device. This is the main distinction between deep cleaning and regular cleaning. The process of removing tartar can sometimes be quite demanding.

As such, it can last hours and might need to be broken up into multiple sessions. Ultimately, it depends on how bad the case is and how sensitive your teeth are. While a deep cleaning might sound tedious, it\u2019s a vital part of fighting against dangerous infections. If left untreated it can warp into an even worse condition, like a root canal. So how do you know when a deep cleaning is needed?

When is Deep Cleaning Necessary?<\/span>
The ADA recommends scheduling dentist appointments for intervals recommended by the dentist. There\u2019s no one set answer for how often you should get a deep cleaning. That\u2019s because every unique case requires a different approach. During these visits, your dentist will recommend whether or not you should get a deep cleaning.

One clear sign of needing deep cleaning is checking for gum disease. You can do this by measuring how far your gums pull away from your teeth. Any pocket that\u2019s more than five millimeters deep will require immediate deep cleaning. Other symptoms of gum disease include things like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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• Swelling gums<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Bleeding gums<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Bruising around the gums<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Pus in the gums<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Bad smelling breath
  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  Gum disease occurs when bacteria get into pockets and roots of the teeth. Certain types of gum diseases will also require additional treatments. It\u2019s also recommended to get a deep cleaning if it’s been more than six months since your appointment with your dental hygienist.
  
  How Does the Procedure Work?<\/span>
  Before the procedure, your dentist will go over your medical history and perform an x-ray. That way, they have a good idea of which areas to focus on. After this preliminary planning stage, the dentist will measure the depths of the gum sockets using a special tool.
  
  This process is also used for probing to determine if the person has gingivitis or periodontitis. After this, the dentist will begin the scaling process. As we mentioned earlier, this is a scraping that removes tartar from the teeth. If needed, an ultrasonic tool is also used. After this, the teeth are polished using a gritty toothpaste.
  
  Then, an air polisher is applied to smooth out the teeth. The dentists may go through final flossing as well. Finally, a fluoride treatment might be used. This process helps remineralize the enamel on your teeth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  A standard cleaning may not be enough for some patients and a deeper clean may be needed. Learn about the process involved in the deep cleaning of teeth below. Did you know that 26% of adults in America have untreated dental decay? Annual deep cleaning of teeth is the key to preventing this type of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8066,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[117,69,118,70,71],"class_list":["post-68","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oral-health","tag-deep-cleaning-teeth","tag-dental-hygiene","tag-dental-procedure","tag-oral-care","tag-oral-health"],"yoast_head":"\n