Deep Teeth Cleaning can prevent bad breath and gum disease. Therefore, it is important to brush and floss regularly and to see your dentist twice a year for routine teeth cleaning. However, sometimes a dentist will recommend a deep cleaning of the teeth. Signs that a deep cleaning may be necessary include bleeding gums, receding gums, and loose teeth. Deep teeth cleaning does carry some risks, and it’s important to be aware of the side effects and possible complications, especially if you’re going to have this procedure. This article aims to highlight the pros and cons of deep tooth cleaning for your understanding.
Table of Contents
What Is Deep Teeth Cleaning
Deep cleaning your teeth can remove plaque and tartar, reduce gum inflammation, and improve gum health.
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on teeth. It contains bacteria, which are produced when food particles mix with saliva. You can remove the plaque that builds up on your teeth every day by brushing.
However, brushing does not remove all the plaque between the teeth. The remaining plaque calcifies or hardens, forming tartar.
Plaque buildup of tartar can lead to gum disease. This includes gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums. Without treatment, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. This is a serious infection that destroys the bones that support the teeth.
What Do Deep Cleaning Teeth Involve?
Deep tooth cleaning is different from regular tooth cleaning. Regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the gum line. On the other hand, a deep cleaning can remove plaque and tartar below the gum line.
Gum disease can cause spaces between the teeth and gums where tartar and plaque can become trapped. Cleaning below the gum line can remove these buildups.
How Much Does Deep Teeth Cleaning Cost?
The cost of a deep cleaning depends on the severity of the gum disease or inflammation.
You may need two visits, although some people may need four to completely remove tartar and plaque. During these cleanings, your mouth is considered a quadrant. Depending on where you live or how much treatment you need, you can pay $100 or more per quadrant.
If you have dental insurance, most plans include deep cleaning.
The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Deep Teeth Cleaning
Advantages
- Stop the development of gum disease.
Scaling and root planning procedures can help treat gum diseases such as gingivitis. Deep tooth cleaning uses special techniques to remove excess plaque and bacteria from the roots of a patient’s teeth. Thus, it stops the progression of ongoing gum disease. It reduces the risk of future diseases.
- Promotes gum healing.
Deep tooth cleaning reduces gum inflammation by removing tartar and plaque below the gum line. This makes gums better and healthier than before.
- Removes tartar and plaque.
This treatment deeply cleans the teeth and gums. Dentists remove tartar and plaque to help reduce the space between the gums and teeth. As a result, the gums are reattached to the patient’s teeth for an average of 5-7 days.
- Protect tooth roots.
Deep tooth cleaning protects the roots of teeth by removing tartar and plaque that builds up below the gum line in the patient’s mouth. It also strengthens the root system and prevents it from loosening.
- Helps prevent tooth loss.
Scaling and root planning help stop the development of periodontal disease, thereby reducing the chance of tooth loss.
Disadvantages
- It can cause nerve damage.
In rare cases, a deep cleaning may cause nerve damage. When nerves are damaged, they stop sending signals to the brain. Therefore, it is important to highlight your general health concerns with your dentist before treatment. Nerve damage is most common in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome, autoimmune diseases, lupus, vasculitis, etc.
- gum recession
Gum bleeding is expected after treatment. For about 2-3 days, there is slight bleeding from the gums. Therefore, patients need to brush their teeth gently.
- increased tooth sensitivity
After scaling, patients usually experience mild pain and throbbing, and root planing is performed. Patients also experience mild swelling, which subsides in three to five days. However, if the pain or discomfort doesn’t go away after a week, be prepared to talk to your dentist.
Is Deep Cleaning Painful?
Scaling and rooting can cause some discomfort, so you’ll receive a topical or local anesthetic to numb your gums.
You may have some sensitivity after treatment. Your gums may be swollen and may bleed slightly.
How to Reduce Sensitivity After Deep Cleaning Teeth
Consuming soft foods (yogurt, applesauce, or mashed potatoes) for a few days after surgery can help reduce sensitivity. You should also avoid extremely hot or cold foods and drinks.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to reduce inflammation, as well as rinse with warm water.
Regular brushing and flossing can promote healing and reduce further inflammation of the gums. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.
Final Thoughts
Deep teeth cleaning has many benefits for patients with gum disease. While this is an overall safe approach, you can still expect mild tooth sensitivity, pain, or swelling after treatment. However, if the pain or swelling doesn’t go away after a week, see your dentist and get rid of it.