Regular Cleaning vs Deep Cleaning – What You Need to Know
Going to the dentist for a regular checkup and cleaning is an important part of taking good care of your teeth. But what if you’re told your teeth need more than just a regular cleaning? What if you need a deep cleaning instead? You may not have ever had one before, so what does that mean for you?
A Different Purpose
To start with, the purposes of regular dental cleaning and deep cleaning are different. Regular dental cleanings are intended to remove things like plaque, tartar, and food debris from your teeth. Your teeth are cleaned and polished. Deep cleanings are meant to address periodontal disease, more colloquially referred to as gum disease.
The Process
When your teeth are deep cleaned, techniques called scaling and planing are used to clean out the bacteria that is infecting your mouth. Specifically, they are used to address plaque and tartar that have built up below the gumline. Once the debris and bacteria have been removed from below the gums, the surfaces of the tooth roots are smoothed to help the gums reattach. Because of the way these techniques are done, you may have an anesthetic administered to help with the pain from the cleaning.
What You Need to Do Next
If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, it’s even more important than ever to take good care of your teeth. You need to take a proactive approach to prevent plaque buildup in the future, which means being incredibly diligent about brushing and flossing your teeth. If your water isn’t fluoridated, ask your dentist if you should use special toothpaste or fluoride supplements. You may also need to schedule follow-up appointments to make sure that your entire mouth is treated and that the infection has been completely removed.
Understanding the differences between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning can help you be prepared for your appointment if that ends up being what you need. The two have different purposes and processes. Knowing what you need to do on the back of your cleaning is also important. Make sure you have the information you need to take good care of your teeth so they can take good care of the rest of you.
Gum disease is a problem for more people than you might think. If you need Periodontal Treatment , reach out to us today so we can get you taken care of as soon as possible.
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