Deep Gum Cleaning
Basalt CO
Deep Gum Cleaning provided by Dr. Marcus Blue
in Basalt, CO at Blue Periodontics
 Deep gum cleaning involves a thorough cleansing of your teeth, targeting the removal of plaque and tartar, especially from the areas beneath the gumline. This specialized cleaning process aims to minimize the gap that forms between the teeth and gums due to gum disease. While standard oral care practices effectively eliminate plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth, deep gum cleaning delves deeper than ordinary cleanings. Our skilled professionals at Blue Periodontics are here to address your dental concerns about deep gum cleaning.
Types of Deep Gum Cleaning
Deep gum is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. There are different types based on your specific dental health requirements.
Prophylaxis Dental Cleaning
A prophylaxis dental cleaning is suitable for persons who make regular dental visits and whose oral hygiene is above par. During this procedure, you will have your teeth cleaned to remove an expected amount of plaque and tartar on the surface of the teeth, in between the teeth, and gums using a dental scaler or water stream.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing are used interchangeably with deep cleaning. This type of deep cleaning is quite invasive but non-surgical. Our periodontist will use special tools and techniques to remove plaque and tartar from your gums, gum lines, and the other supporting structures of the teeth. The goal is to remove the sticky film that attached itself to your teeth all the way down to the bottom of the pocket. The next step in the process is planing, which involves our periodontist smoothing out your teeth to help the gums reattach to your teeth. In some cases, you might need a local anesthetic to minimize the discomfort.
Periodontal Maintenance Cleaning
Periodontal maintenance cleaning specifically treats gum disease. During this cleaning, our periodontist will remove accumulated plaque and tartar from the surface of the tooth and gum pockets and then smooth out the roots. Periodontal maintenance is the most common type of deep cleaning because it prevents the progression of gum disease.
Gross Debridement
Gross debridement is usually considered the most heavy-duty teeth cleaning procedure. If your teeth contain a copious amount of plaque and tartar, gross debridement is the procedure for you. If you have not been to our practice in quite a while, you can have a significant layer of tartar and plaque. The plaque and tartar on the surface of your teeth and below the gums harden, and the only way to remove this hardened dirt is by using gross debridement cleanings.
Benefits of Deep Gum Cleaning
Stops the Progression of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is an infection of your teeth caused primarily by the buildup of plaque and tartar on the surface of your teeth and beneath the gum line. No amount of brushing and flossing can remove all the plaque from your teeth, and you are always at risk of developing periodontitis. Regular periodontal maintenance can help stop the progression of periodontitis.
Removes Bacterial Buildup from Diseased Gum Tissue
Scaling and root planing or gross debriding essentially remove bacterial buildup from your gum tissue. The removal of bacteria prevents the progression of gum disease.
Promotes Healing
Deep gum cleaning also promotes healing around your gums, especially because bacteria living in plaque and tartar will constantly irritate your gums. Removing tartar and plaque allows your gums to reattach to your tooth roots.
Eliminates Bad Breath
Plaque is often sticky, and it collects on teeth when food mixes with saliva. That sticky film can become a home for bacteria, whose presence in your mouth generates bad breath and cavities.
Protects Your Roots and Jawbone
Deep gum cleaning removes plaque and tartar that can harbor harmful bacteria. If your gums become infected, these harmful bacteria threaten the health of your tooth roots. The infected gums can peel away, leaving your roots exposed, which eventually exposes your jawbone to damage. Deep gum cleaning is the one-stop solution to this progressive destruction.
Risks and Disadvantages Associated with Deep Gum Cleaning
For the most part, deep gum cleaning is very beneficial. However, there are unforeseen consequences that could arise as a result of cleaning your teeth below the gums. Deep gum cleaning sometimes causes nerve damage, and your gums can recede and lose their ability to reattach to the teeth as they did before. Some patients have also complained of dental pain and tooth sensitivity. Still, these disadvantages are very rare, with pain and sensitivity being the most common side effects affecting a significant number of patients.
How to Reduce Tooth Sensitivity after Deep Cleaning
Tooth sensitivity after a deep gum cleaning is one of the major side effects. However, you do not have to suffer for too long. There are ways to reduce that sensitivity to enable you to resume your daily living as soon as possible.
For example, eating soft foods, like mashed potatoes and yogurt, for the first few days after the deep gum cleaning procedure can reduce sensitivity. Yogurt is usually cold, making it even more suitable for your sensitive teeth. You can also avoid extremely hot or cold foods and drinks. Our periodontist may prescribe pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen to reduce inflammation. You should keep up with your brushing and flossing with a soft-bristled toothbrush at least two times a day.
Deep Gum Cleaning FAQs
Some of our patients are a bit apprehensive about receiving deep gum cleaning. Here are some of the more common questions and simple explanations to put your mind at ease.
Is Deep Gum Cleaning Painful?
Deep gum cleaning involves procedures such as scaling and root planing, which can cause some discomfort. However, local anesthesia will numb your gums, and you will not feel any discomfort at all. Therefore, deep gum cleaning is not painful.
If I Need Deep Cleaning, Can I Have Routine Teeth Cleaning Instead?
If our periodontist recommends deep gum cleaning, you must get that particular type of cleaning. Routine cleaning cannot treat periodontitis, and deep cleaning also supersedes routine cleaning as it leaves your mouth with zero bacteria.
Get the Best Deep Gum Cleaning with Us
Deep cleaning can address a myriad of your dental issues, from aesthetic concerns to health problems. Your mouth will have that fresh breath, and you will be treated for gum disease or periodontitis. Visit us at Blue Periodontics to discuss your deep cleaning needs. Contact us at (970) 678-3473 to get your appointment scheduled with us. |
