We’re Going in Deep… Deep Cleaning That Is

You know the old saying that it’s what’s below the surface is what really matters? Well, it turns out this is definitely true for oral hygiene. How your smile looks is very important, but so is the portion of your smile below the gum line. Today on the blog, we’re going below the gum line to discuss deep cleaning.

The procedure of deep cleaning is also called scaling and root planing. During a deep cleaning, bacteria and debris such as plaque and tartar that have built up below the gum line are removed. Build up below the gum line is basically an invitation for bacteria to enter the body which causes gum disease and all kinds of other harm to other body functions. Your dentist will numb the area of the mouth being worked on and actually clean under your gums to scrape away all the gunk. They may reshape the tooth to eliminate areas where plaque is likely to return.

What’s kind of cool about deep cleaning- and we say this as people in the oral health field who love this stuff- is that it provides a short-term solution to gum disease by removing bacteria-harboring plaque. However, it’s not a permanent solution and you’ll likely have to return for several more deep clean visits for maintenance.

If you’re asking yourself, “How do I know if it’s time for a deep cleaning?” Well, your first indication might begin with soreness or inflammation in your gums. Gum inflammation is usually the first sign of gum disease. While we as a society love to self-diagnose using our good friend the Internet, in this case, you should visit your dentist who will be able to confirm if you do have gum disease.