What Is a Dental Deep Cleaning? A Complete Guide
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If you are showing signs of gum disease, like bleeding, swollen, or receding gums, your dentist or hygienist might recommend a deep cleaning. But what is a deep dental cleaning, and how is it different from a regular dental cleaning?
At Sanitas Family Dentistry, we want you to understand as much as possible about the dental services we provide — including a deep dental cleaning — to not only arm you with effective oral health prevention strategies but also put you at ease before your visit.
So, let’s dive into deep dental cleanings and discuss what they are. We’ll also explain the oral health risks of gum disease, who dental deep cleanings are for, what is involved in a deep dental cleaning, some of the procedure’s pros and cons, and other pertinent details.
What Is a Dental Deep Cleaning?
During a regular, twice-a-year dental cleaning, your hygienist uses special tools to remove plaque and tartar from the crowns of your teeth (the part that is visible when you smile) as well as between your teeth and gums. They also floss and polish your teeth.
A routine dental cleaning removes buildup in areas that may be hard to reach when you brush and floss. It also promotes good oral health by preventing cavities, gum disease, and other dental concerns.
In a dental deep cleaning (also known as scaling and root planing), your hygienist, dentist, or periodontist (gum specialist) removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria above and below your gumline. A deep teeth cleaning also treats advanced gum disease (periodontitis) to prevent severe infection and tooth loss.
Understanding the Oral Health Risks of Gum Disease
Plaque forms when bacteria mix with food particles, acid, and saliva when you eat. It sticks to your teeth and destroys your tooth enamel. Tartar and plaque buildup cause tooth decay and cavities. When left untreated, excessive plaque and tartar can lead to gum disease.
Gum disease poses a significant risk to your oral health. Routine dental cleanings can help treat gum disease in its initial stage, known as gingivitis.
Symptoms of gingivitis include:
Bad breath
Sore and inflamed gums
Red gums that bleed during tooth brushing
Getting a regular dental cleaning at the dentist’s office and adjusting some oral hygiene habits at home can help resolve or reverse early signs of gum disease and prevent it from progressing to a more serious stage called periodontitis.
Periodontitis occurs when plaque and tartar build up on the root surfaces of your teeth below your gumline. Left untreated, bacteria below your gums can infect and break down ligaments and bones that help secure your teeth and cause them to loosen — and even fall out.
Signs of periodontitis include:
Shifting or loose teeth
Painful chewing
A persistent bad taste in your mouth
Lingering bad breath
Shrinking or receding gums
A portion of your tooth root shows at your gum line
Gum sensitivity
Bite changes
If you experience any symptoms of periodontitis, it’s essential to schedule a dental or periodontal appointment right away.
What Are Risk Factors for Gum Disease?
The NIH reports that over 42% of adults older than 30 have some form of gum disease, and 8% of those have severe periodontal disease. Aging increases the issue, with nearly 60% of adults over age 65 having some form of gum disease.
Several factors can put people at risk for gum disease. They include:
Smoking or tobacco use
Poor oral hygiene
Diabetes
Certain autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s disease, scleroderma, and lupus
Heart disease
Stress
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, puberty, or menopause
Genetics
These risk factors don’t necessarily mean you will get gum disease. However, it’s crucial to provide a complete health history to your dentist so they are aware of any chronic conditions that may affect your oral and periodontal health.
Dr. Krista and the Sanitas staff are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your potential gum disease risks.
Who Is a Dental Deep Cleaning For?
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Dental professionals usually recommend deep cleanings for people who are diagnosed with advanced gum disease.
Healthy gum tissue covers bones, ligaments, and connective tissues that hold your teeth in place. Advanced stages of gum disease can compromise this bond by creating a breeding ground for infection and causing teeth instability.
As gum disease worsens, healthy tissue, ligaments, and bones erode and cause gums to pull away from teeth and form periodontal pockets. These pockets trap bacteria, which can lead to infection, further bone loss, and loose teeth.
To assess gum disease severity, a dentist or periodontist measures the depth of the pockets around your teeth with a periodontal probe. The readings indicate how much bone you’ve lost around your teeth.
The deeper the pockets, the more severe the level of gum disease. For example, healthy pocket depth ranges from one to three millimeters. Pockets deeper than 4 millimeters may indicate periodontitis, and those deeper than 5 millimeters cannot be cleaned well with routine care. They require deep dental cleaning.
What Is Involved in a Dental Deep Cleaning?
A dental deep cleaning involves two processes: scaling and root planing. Scaling removes plaque and tartar above your gumline.
Root planing smooths the surface of your teeth roots (below your gumline), so it is harder for plaque to accumulate following your dental visit. It also helps your gums reattach to your teeth as they heal, which decreases the depth of the periodontal pockets that cause this detachment.
A dental deep cleaning typically requires two appointments because providers usually only numb and treat the upper and lower quadrants on one side of your mouth at each visit.
However, some providers may treat your entire mouth in a single visit or opt to treat one single quadrant at a time. You can discuss their recommendations and your preferences ahead of your appointment.
What to Expect at a Dental Deep Cleaning
Knowing what to expect with any dental service can help ease your worries. Here is what you can expect during your first dental deep cleaning appointment:
Your dentist, hygienist, or periodontist will administer local anesthesia to numb your gums, ensuring you are comfortable and don’t feel pain during the cleaning.
During scaling, they will use various scaling instruments to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth (above and below your gums) by hand. If buildup is particularly dense, they may use an ultrasonic tool that vibrates to bust up stubborn plaque and tartar.
During root planing, they will use another instrument, such as a curette with a rounded tip, to access and smooth (plane) your root surfaces.
Each dental deep cleaning visit usually takes one to two hours. However, the length of your appointment will depend on the severity of gum disease, the depth and number of periodontal pockets, and the depth and amount of buildup.
Your dentist may advise you to take antibiotics for a few days after your dental deep cleaning appointment to decrease the risk of a post-procedure infection, especially if your immune system is compromised.
Deep Teeth Cleaning Aftercare Instructions
It’s normal to experience minor bleeding, swelling, and discomfort/sensitivity for a few days after a deep teeth cleaning appointment.
Dr. Krista and our staff will give you post-procedure care instructions to promote optimal healing, minimize discomfort, and prevent complications.
Common dental deep cleaning aftercare instructions include:
Take all prescribed antibiotics as directed.
Wait at least two hours after the procedure to eat anything.
For 48 hours after the procedure, stick to soft foods and avoid sharp, hard, or crunchy foods, such as nuts, hard candy, chips, and pretzels.
You should not smoke for at least 72 hours after a deep dental cleaning and should refrain from smoking at all during recovery for optimal healing and to reduce the risk of infection.
You should avoid alcohol for at least 72 hours after the procedure. Alcohol may hinder healing. So, it’s best to avoid alcohol until healing is done.
To manage discomfort, take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Do saltwater rinses several times a day or use prescription mouthwash as your dentist recommends.
Avoid hot beverages for 48 hours and stick to eating soft food for a few days.
Gently brush your teeth and be careful near treatment areas until healing is complete.
Be cautious around your sensitive gumline when flossing.
To reduce swelling, elevate your head while you rest.
What Is the Average Cost of a Dental Deep Cleaning?
The average cost of a dental deep cleaning varies according to the severity of gum disease, the number of quadrants treated, the dentist's location, and whether you have dental insurance coverage.
National average prices for a dental deep cleaning for an uninsured patient are $150-$350 per quadrant and $600-$1,600 for all four quadrants.
Some dental insurance plans will cover at least a portion of deep dental cleaning fees. Check with your dental insurance company or dental provider to get a quote tailored to treat your specific periodontal issues.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Dental Deep Cleaning?
Routine cleaning cannot adequately treat severe gum disease (periodontitis). Therefore, a dental deep cleaning is critical to properly treat advanced gum disease.
If you are considering the treatment, here are some pros and cons of deep dental cleaning.
Pros
Deep dental cleanings have multiple benefits, including:
They stop gum disease from getting worse.
Your teeth are cleaned above and below your gums.
They help protect your tooth roots.
They treat your current level of infection.
They help prevent tooth loss.
They promote gum health.
They combat bad breath.
Healthier gums can boost your confidence.
Cons
Potential disadvantages of deep dental cleanings include:
Temporary mild pain and discomfort after the procedure
Increased sensitivity
Risk of post-procedure infection due to gum exposure during treatment
Risk of gum recession
Rare risk of nerve damage
If you struggle with gum disease, a deep dental cleaning is a critical step in ensuring good oral health. Dr. Krista or an expert periodontal partner can discuss the benefits versus risks in your individual case.
Sanitas Family Dentistry Is Committed to Protecting Your Smile
Sanitas Family Dentistry knows adults only get one set of natural teeth. Therefore, we are committed to prioritizing your oral health and protecting your smile from the harmful effects of gum disease.
Contact us today at our Boulder office to discuss whether a deep dental cleaning is right for you.