Is It Time for Deep Teeth Cleaning? Find Out Here!

If you want to stay on top of your oral health, regular professional cleanings are a great way to do that.

Even with a perfect brushing technique and all the right tools and products, it’s still very difficult to remove all bacteria and food particles from the mouth. Certain areas are just harder to access at home, but luckily that’s not an issue at the dentist’s office.

But sometimes, your Long Branch dentist could recommend a deep cleaning instead of a regular one. What’s the difference? When do you need a deep cleaning?

Find out these answers and more in this short post!

When Is a Deep Cleaning Necessary?

Deep cleanings are usually recommended when a patient hasn’t been to the dentist in a while.

The mouth is full of harmful bacteria which can feed off the food particles that linger in the mouth after you eat. With regular brushing and flossing, you can remove much of this bacteria and keep your teeth healthy. But over time, especially in areas you can’t really reach with your toothbrush or floss, bacteria can accumulate and form plaque.

This plaque eventually hardens and becomes tartar, which is impossible to remove at home. Tartar increases your risk for cavities and even gum disease, a serious infection that can cause gum recession and permanent tooth loss.

Deep cleaning is usually done when the tartar buildup has already begun to affect the gums, meaning patients may begin to notice bleeding when they floss, red and swollen gums, or even a bit of sensitivity. 

What Is the Difference Between a Regular Cleaning and a Deep Cleaning?

Regular cleaning is an important part of oral health maintenance. It’s usually done when your teeth are healthy, but just need a bit of help removing some plaque and tartar.

Deep cleaning, on the other hand, it’s considered a type of treatment in its own right, usually used to address mild to moderate cases of gum disease.

What is the Deep Cleaning Process?

Deep cleaning usually involves two steps:

• Scaling - Removing plaque and tartar buildup from the surface of the teeth and the pockets found between the teeth and gums
• Root planning - Removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth’s roots

Depending on how severe your case of gum disease is, you may need some additional steps, such as getting antibiotic gel applied directly on the gums to fight the infection.

Think You Might Need a Deep Cleaning? We Can Help!

If you start to notice bleeding while you floss, you may be in the early stages of gum disease. Dr. Saka is here to help restore your oral health with professional deep cleanings and periodontal care.

We encourage you to book a consultation at Saka Dental Spa to access top-notch dental care in Long Branch.