Deep Cleaning Keeps Your Smile Healthy
Deep Cleaning
What is Deep Cleaning (Deep Scaling & Root Planning)?
If plaque and tartar are left on the teeth, it provides the right conditions for bacteria to thrive. The bacteria irritate the gums, which means they bleed more easily. You may notice this if you are brushing your teeth, or eating, and sometimes your gums bleed a bit. This is the early stage of gum disease called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, your hygienist will clean your teeth by scaling and polishing them. She may also recommend an antiseptic mouthwash containing chlorhexidine and show you how to brush and floss your teeth effectively. Most adults have some degree of gum disease.
If gingivitis is not treated and nothing is done about it, the inflammation will work its way down towards the foundations of the tooth causing a “periodontal pocket”. Again, within the confines of the pocket, the conditions are such that the bacteria multiply causing an infection that in turn causes the bone surrounding your teeth to deteriorate.
Periodontal (Gum) disease can break down the support (bone) structures of the teeth so that eventually, they will become loose. The problem is that until it gets quite severe, the person often has no symptoms. Sadly, the damage or bone loss to the teeth is irreversible. The good news is that if periodontal(gum) disease is caught in time, its progression can be halted and stabilized, the active infection is reduced or eliminated: this is the key.
To stop periodontal (gum) disease from progressing, your dentist may advise periodontal therapy or deep cleaning. This gets rid of the bacteria in the pocket and provides the necessary conditions for healing to occur.
