Is Deep Teeth Cleaning Painful?
A deep teeth cleaning will remove the buildup of harmful plaque and tartar on your teeth below the gumline, which reduces gum inflammation and improves gum health.
Plaque is a clear, sticky film that forms on all teeth. It contains bacteria and develops daily when your food mixes with your saliva. You can simply remove the plaque, which collects on your teeth each day, by brushing and flossing your teeth as strongly suggested.
Brushing will not remove all plaque from hard-to-reach areas. Any leftover plaque then calcifies or hardens, which contains damaging bacteria.
The accumulation of plaque or tartar will lead to gum disease. This begins with gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums. If left untreated, the gingivitis will progress to periodontitis. This is now a serious infection that will destroy the bones that support the teeth.
What Does Deep Teeth Cleaning Involve?
Deep teeth cleanings differ slightly from your routine teeth cleanings. Your regular cleaning removes the plaque on the crown above the gumline. A deep cleaning goes further by removing the plaque from below the gumline.
Gum disease will cause a gap to develop between your teeth and gums, where even more plaque will become trapped. Cleaning below the gumline removes all this buildup.
Deep cleaning involves tooth scaling and root planing. Full mouth deep cleaning usually takes two visits. Each visit might take 1 to 2 hours.
The plaque and tartar are the sole source of the bacteria causing the gum disease. By deep cleaning and removing the source of the infection your gums will heal naturally and quite soon return to proper oral health. The swelling subsides, the bleeding stops, the color returns and once again they support your teeth.
What are the Benefits of Deep Teeth Cleaning?
You will need a deep cleaning if advancing gum disease has caused your gums to sag away from your teeth, creating a gap or space greater than three millimeters (mm) deep.
If your dentist recommends a deep cleaning, the benefits of this procedure include:
* Stopping and reversing the advancement of gum disease.
* Treating a current infection and promoting natural healing.
* Cleaning your teeth both above and below the gumline.
* Eliminating bad breath caused by the gum disease.
* Protecting the roots of your teeth.
Is Deep Teeth cleaning Painful?
The deep cleaning procedure can cause some discomfort, so you might receive either a topical or local anesthetic to numb your gums during treatment.
You can also expect some sensitivity following your treatment. Your gums could swell slightly, and you may encounter some minor bleeding.
It is advisable to eat softer foods, yogurt, applesauce, or mashed potatoes, for a few days following your procedure to help reduce sensitivity. It is also wise to avoid extremely hot or cold foods and drinks until your tender gums have recovered.
Taking over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can reduce inflammation, as well as rinsing with warm salt water.
Brushing and flossing on a regular basis promote healing and reduce further gum inflammation. Use a soft bristle toothbrush at least twice per day, and floss at least once per day.