A deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing or non-surgical periodontal therapy, is a dental procedure recommended when the patient's needs exceed a routine 6-month dental cleaning. This type of cleaning is often recommended for patients who have some form of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease.
The following are some of the benefits of a deep cleaning procedure:
Often, patients who require a deep cleaning have excessive amounts of calculus, also known as tartar, above and beneath their gum line. During a deep cleaning, your dental provider carefully removes all excess bacteria buildup.
Bacteria buildup, such as calculus and plaque, causes inflammation of the gum tissues. After this harmful bacteria is removed during the deep cleaning, the gum tissue health will likely improve.
Because gum health will likely improve after removing calculus and plaque above and beneath the gum tissue, gum disease can now be controlled. It’s important to note that once a deep cleaning is done, maintenance cleanings every 3-4 months are often recommended to ensure proper control of bacteria levels.
By removing excess bacteria and controlling gum disease infections, bad breath symptoms can also improve. Tongue scraping can also help reduce the excessive buildup of bacteria.
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. This often occurs inpatients who do not receive treatment, including deep cleanings. If gum disease worsens over time, bone and supporting structures of the teeth will resorb, resulting in loose teeth that are eventually lost.
While anyone can be diagnosed with gum disease requiring deep cleaning, certain populations are at an increased risk of developing gum disease. Tobacco smokers, diabetics, and those with poor oral hygiene, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal disorders can increase the risk of developing gum disease.