What’s a Dental Deep Cleaning and Why Do I Need One?

Everyone knows that regular dental cleanings are a great way to keep your mouth healthy and happy. However, a standard cleaning is not always enough—sometimes you might need a dental deep cleaning to ward off gum disease. Here’s a closer look at what a deep cleaning at Sunrise Dental involves, and how it can help prevent periodontitis. 

Dental Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning

During a standard cleaning, a dental hygienist removes any plaque and tartar that accumulated on the teeth above the gum line. However, plaque and tartar can also adhere to surfaces underneath the gum line, leading to bacterial infections and gum disease. If left unchecked, gum disease causes gums to swell and bleed, ultimately leading to sensitivity, pain, and even tooth loss. 

A dental deep cleaning is a more robust version of a traditional dental cleaning that cleans plaque and tartar underneath the gum line. Removing this build-up helps stop gum disease in its tracks. People are always pleasantly surprised at what a difference a deep cleaning makes in the health of their gums.  

Why would I need a deep cleaning? 

Not everyone needs a dental deep cleaning. We might recommend a deep cleaning if:

• We notice the early stages of gum disease
• X-rays show signs of bone loss or build-up on the roots of teeth
• You complain of constant bad breath or bad tastes in your mouth
• It has been a few years since you have been in for an annual cleaning 

How does a deep cleaning work? 

Because a dental deep cleaning involves going below the gum line, there can be some minor discomfort. Before the procedure, we will administer a local anesthetic to numb your gums. Once the anesthetic takes effect, we will use a special tool to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the portions of your teeth underneath your gums, including the roots of your teeth. We will also remove plaque and tartar from the deeper pockets of your gums that are hard to reach during traditional cleanings. 

This plaque removal process—also called scaling—smoothes tooth root surfaces to help stop bacteria and plaque from sticking to them in the future. Because dental deep cleanings take a bit longer than a traditional cleaning, we normally schedule them in two appointments. We will deep clean one side of your mouth at the first visit, and then clean the second side a week or two later. This helps prevent soreness and sensitivity after the procedure. 

Gentle Dental Deep Cleanings in Glendale, Arizona

We know that some dental procedures can sound scary, especially a dental “deep cleaning.” We promise that it is not as bad as it sounds! A deep cleaning will make your whole mouth feel wonderful, and with a good oral care routine at home, gum disease worries will be a thing of the past. 

If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, we would love to invite you to come in for an exam with one of our amazing doctors! Contact Sunrise Dental today to book your appointment. 

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