Hearing your dentist recommend a deep cleaning may come as a surprise, especially if you brush and floss regularly. You may even wonder if your dental team is trying to upsell you. But the truth is, your hygienists and dentist won’t recommend these cleanings unless it is absolutely essential for protecting your oral health.
Even the most minor oral buildup can quickly compromise your oral health. From risks of gum disease to potential tooth loss, the consequences can be devastating. If your dentist has recommended a deep cleaning to keep your teeth looking their best and you’re considering turning it down, keep reading to learn more about why this might be a major mistake.
What is a Deep Cleaning?
A deep cleaning is different from your routine dental cleaning, which may focus on buildup on the visible surfaces of your teeth and along the gum line. Instead, your dental hygienist goes below the gum line to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that have accumulated in periodontal pockets, the space that forms when your gums pull away from your teeth. Your Deep cleaning will involve two main steps, including:
- Scaling: During the scaling process, your hygienist removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line. This buildup appears yellow or brown and is often visible along the edges of your teeth.
- Root Planing: Once they’ve removed the plaque and tartar from your teeth, your dental team will smooth out the roots of y our teeth. This process helps your gums reattach to your teeth and heal.
Because this process is more involved than a standard dental cleaning, you may want to discuss with your dental team whether they recommend using local anesthetic. This appointment may also need to be performed over more than one visit, as it can be incredibly uncomfortable for patients who are expereincing severe buildup.
Why Do Dentists Recommend Deep Cleanings?
Your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning if you exhibit signs of periodontal disease. Specifically, it is best to recommend this service when there is evidence of:
- Gum inflammation or bleeding
- Deep periodontal pockets (more than 4 millimeters)
- Receding gums
- Bone loss around your teeth
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
The symptoms may indicate to your dental team that bacteria have moved beneath your gums and are starting to damage the soft tissue and bones supporting your teeth. The goal of these cleanings is to stop the progression of gum disease and give your oral tissue a chance to heal from the inflammation.
However, it is important to note that if your gum disease has progressed to periodontitis, this can no longer be reversed. Instead, deep cleaning will be essential in preventing the disease from further developing, which may otherwise compromise the stability, health, and well-being of your teeth.
The Risk of Saying “No”
Refusing a deep cleaning when it has been recommended isn’t just ignoring advice. It is putting your oral and general health at risk. Here is what happens if you skip this cleaning:
- Progression of Gum Disease: Turning down this advanced cleaning puts your gum health at risk. Gum disease doesn’t get better on its own. If plaque and bacteria aren’t removed, the inflammation worsens and your gums may pull further away, deepening the pockets and accelerating tissue and bone loss.
- Systemic Health Issues: Gum disease isn’t just a dental problem. Number studies have linked it to systemic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes complications, respiratory infections, and strokes. The bacteria can eenter the bloodstream and cause inflammation elsewhere in your body.
- Tooth Loss: As your irritation and infection progresses, the bones that hold your teeth in place may begin to deteriorate. Over time, your teeth may become loose or fall out entirely. While you might not realize its impact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
What to Expect During and After Your Appointment
If you’ve never had a deep cleaning before, the idea might sound a little intimidating. However, this is a standard practice by your dental team and you have nothing to worry about. Here is what the experience will typically look like:
- Before: Your dental team may numb the area with local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. If you’re especially nervous, they may offer a sedative.
- During: Your hygienist will use special tools to remove plaque and tartar from below the gum line and smooth the tooth roots.
- After: It is normal to experience increased sensitivity for a few days. Your dentist may prescribe an antibacterial mouth rinse or antibiotics if there’s an active infection.
Following your cleaning, you’ll need follow-up visits to monitor healing. You may also be placed on a more frequent cleaning schedule to keep your gums healthy and prevent gum disease from recurring.
Can You Prevent These Cleanings?
Once you’ve gotten a deep cleaning, there are several things you can do to avoid needing to go through this process again, including:
- Brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste
- Floss at least once daily to remove tough plaque
- Visit your dentist for twice yearly cleanings and exams
- Avoid smoking and using other nicotine products
- Eat a balanced diet that supports oral and immune health
Even with the best oral hygiene, some people are genetically more prone to developing gum disease. That’s why regular dental care is so important. Your team can catch signs of gum disease progression, often before you feel any symptoms.
Achieve Your Freshest, Brightest Smile at North View Dental
Being told you need a deep cleaning might catch you off guard, but it’s a sign that your dental team is looking out for your long-term health. If you’re looking for a compassionate, expert dental team in North Ogden, Utah, turn to our team at North View Dental for support. With years of experience helping patients achieve their healthiest smile, we’re confident we can do the same for you.
If you have any questions about an upcoming deep cleaning or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
