The Tribune

By Dr Tamika Ferguson

A deep cleaning is a procedure done by your dentist or hygienist to treat gum and periodontal disease. It is very different from a regular cleaning. Your regular dental cleaning focuses on the surfaces of the teeth above the gum line (supragingival), while a deep cleaning will cleanse the areas beneath the gum line (subgingival).

Who needs a deep cleaning?

When visiting your dentist, they will perform a comprehensive dental evaluation. During this evaluation, a probe will be used to measure the area around your teeth to detect pocket formation. These pockets indicate areas between the tooth and gum where bacteria will form. Gum disease is diagnosed if probing reveals areas of four millimeters or more. A normal/healthy probing depth will not exceed more than three millimeters.

Gum disease is caused by lack of proper brushing and flossing, long periods of time between professional dental cleanings, and other conditions for example diabetes. If after your dental evaluation, there are areas of pocketing, your dentist will recommend a deep cleaning.

Why is a deep cleaning needed?

A deep cleaning is needed to remove bacteria and calculus that have collected under the gum. The presence of calculus and debris beneath the gum line creates an environment for more bacteria to collect. The bacteria cause an immune response from the body resulting in inflammation of the gums. If the bacteria are left to fester, the infection and inflammation will progress further under the gum; leading to bone loss and shaky teeth.

What is the process of a deep cleaning?

Scaling and root planing is another term for a dental deep cleaning. Scaling removes buildup from the surface of the teeth and from the pocket between the teeth and gums. It can be done with an ultrasonic instrument or regular hand instruments. Before the deep cleaning, your dentist will numb the area.

The second part of a deep cleaning is root planing. Root planing is done with hand instruments and is the process of removing buildup from the surface of the roots of your teeth. A deep cleaning normally requires at least two visits depending on how many quadrants of the mouth require treatment.

After all areas of the mouth requiring deep cleaning have been treated, your dentist will do a follow-up visit to ensure your gums are healing well. They will also reevaluate to see if there has been a reduction in pocket depth. Your dentist may also place you on a three month recall instead of six months until the disease is fully under control. If after the deep cleaning and three month recalls there is no improvement, your dentist will refer you to a periodontist for a consultation.

How to avoid deep cleanings?

The best way to avoid needing a deep cleaning is to visit your dentist at least two times a year for your regular professional cleanings. If you are not sure what the right brushing technique is, ask your dentist at your next visit. Oral hygiene may not be something most take seriously but if ignored or not properly done, negligence can result in the loss of your teeth.