Let us explain why your dentist may suggest deep teeth cleaning. A dental deep cleaning, sometimes referred to as gum therapy, is a treatment that cleans between the gums and teeth down to the roots. Like a regular cleaning, the hygienist or dentist will clean the tooth, gum line, and sides of the teeth. This process can also be referred to as a root planing and scaling and may require several visits in order to complete the treatment. It is designed to treat gum disease and to stop it from becoming worse.
The Difference Between a Deep Teeth Cleaning and a Regular 6 Month Cleaning?
To compare a regular teeth cleaning with a deep teeth cleaning is almost like comparing apples and oranges because they are designed to do very different things. The goal of a regular cleaning is preventative maintenance and the goal of a deep teeth cleaning is to stop the progression of periodical disease. Your dentist or hygienist completes an exam, and reviews your x-rays. Then they probe around your gums to see if you have any gum disease, called Periodontitis. If you do have Periodontitis, your dentist will show you the x-rays that reveal the progression of bone loss, and the buildup of calculus. They will show you the size of the pockets between your gums and teeth, where the bacteria collect and cause chronic and systemic infection and inflammation immune response.
What Is Periodontitis And Do I Really Need Deep Teeth Cleaning?
If gingivitis turns into a more severe form of gum disease called periodontitis, in which the inflamed tissue begins to pull away from the teeth, forming spaces, or pockets. As the pockets become deeper, more of the tooth below the gum line is exposed to bacteria, which can damage the bone holding teeth in place. Eventually, if the pockets become deep enough, teeth can become loose and may even be lost. Dentists measure the depth of the pockets with a probe that has a tiny ruler on the end. Healthy gums have pockets that measure no more than 3 mm — or a little less than a tenth of an inch deep. More than that and you’re getting into trouble. According to the American academy of Periodontology nearly half of adult Americans suffer from gum disease. More and more research has shown a direct link between the progression of gum disease and the development of more serious illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and more. Bottom line, if your dentist or hygienist says you are in need of a deep teeth cleaning, you owe it your overall health to take care of it. One way to slow or halt the process of periodontal disease is through deep cleaning, which removes the plaque below the gum line and smooths rough spots on the tooth root, making it harder for bacteria to accumulate there. Studies have shown pockets can be reduced by 0.5 mm with deep cleaning.
Contact us (859) 586-7900 for more information or to make an appointment!
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About Torbeck Dental
About Torbeck DentalTorbeck Dental treats every patient with dignity and excellent care. We are highly-trained dental professionals with exceptionally friendly and helpful service. We understand that for many, visiting a dentist can be a stressful experience so our comfortable surroundings and compassionate staff will ease any fears you may have. We are here to help you achieve your happiest and healthiest smile! Our dental team are a group experienced professionals using the latest treatments. Our team has the professional experience to realize that there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all treatment, so we never use a one-size-fits-all approach to your dental plan. We provide quality and personalized oral health care while keeping your individuality in mind. Our goal is to improve and maintain your oral health so you can smile with confidence!