What does a deep cleaning actually involve

Preventative care is the best medicine when it comes to healthy teeth and gums. Diligent brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental checkups and cleaning, can help stave off problems before they become severe and nip them in the bud. But what can be done once gum disease, or advanced gingivitis, has taken hold?

If you've been told that you have gingivitis that cannot be dealt with via a regular teeth cleaning, your dentist may also suggest a deep cleaning procedure which will tackle these gum problems before they become even worse. This is because if gingivitis is not treated and nothing is done about it, the inflammation will work its way down towards the foundations of the tooth causing a "periodontal pocket". The ensuing gum disease can break down the support (bone) structures of the teeth, so that eventually, the teeth will become loose. This illustrates the need for regular checkups, as there are often no symptoms of these problems, but at the same time, the damage to the support structures of the teeth is irreversible. However, if gum disease is caught in time, its progression can be halted.

How can your dentist tell if you're starting to have gum problems that require intervention? At your appointment, your dentist should do the following as part of his assessment:

- Ask about your medical history to identify underlying conditions or risk factors (such as smoking) that may contribute to gum disease.
- Examine your gums and note any signs of inflammation.
- Do what is called a "pocket test," which involves using a tiny ruler called a probe to check for and measure any pockets. In a healthy mouth, the depth of these pockets is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters.
- Potentially take an x-ray if there is a suspicion of bone loss.

Depending on the results of this assessment, your dentist may then decide that you would benefit from a deep cleaning, also referred to as scaling and root planing. Scaling involves scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease. In some cases a laser may be used to remove plaque and tartar.

Whether or not this procedure hurts generally depends on how deep the pockets are; if they are not too deep, there may be little or no discomfort during the procedure, other than the sensation of having one's teeth scraped. If the problems are more severe, your dentist may make the area that is being worked on numb such that you feel no pain. Your dentist will often work on one quadrant of the mouth at a time so as to minimize pain or discomfort, and so you can expect to have this procedure take several appointments.

Resource Area:

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular doctor(s) that is or is not affiliated with Top 3 Dentists Inc.

Copyright 2008 TOP 3 DENTISTS INC. All rights reserved.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website; provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.