Patients who suffer from early gum disease often need deep teeth cleaning to eliminate bacteria, stop the problem from progressing, and get their oral health back on track. At Beachside Smiles in Manhattan Beach, CA, Dr. Don Mungcal and his team are prepared to treat any stage of gum disease to protect your teeth and gums.
How Deep Teeth Cleaning Works
Deep teeth cleaning, also known as teeth scaling and root planing, is a soft tissue management treatment and the most common, frontline method of attacking gum disease.
- A local or topical anesthetic is applied to numb the gums to minimize discomfort.
- Plaque and trapped tartar are removed from below the gumline to stop bacterial colonization.
- Bumpy areas are smoothed out to eliminate any surfaces that might attract plaque.
- Both manual and laser therapy methods may be used to carry out this treatment.
- Sensitivity, swollen gums, and minor bleeding are common after treatment.
Deep teeth cleaning, in short, scrape away any buildup of bacteria, plaque, and tartar that has collected around the edge of the gum line. If this were to stay in place, gum disease would progress, stage by stage, eventually leading to large pockets between teeth and gums and cause tooth loss. But after teeth scaling and root planing, the healing process begins, a true clean slate for your oral health.
After a deep cleaning, your dentist may recommend more frequent regular teeth cleanings for a short period of time to prevent any further infection and to promote healing. Your dental visits will include measurement of the pockets around your teeth to ensure they are shrinking and gum health is restored.
Is Deep Teeth Cleaning Different Than Regular Teeth Cleanings?
When you see your dental hygienist every six months, cleanings focus on the teeth at and above the gum line. These are non-invasive cleanings that are essential to good oral health. If gingivitis has set in, your next teeth cleaning will not be routine.
Now, the treatment will not just be preventive, it will be an acute treatment of early gum disease to stop the progress of the problem. Special tools and techniques are needed to slough off the plaque and tartar and prevent gingivitis from advancing.
Your dentist and hygienist will be able to tell quickly if you have gingivitis. The symptoms of this problem may not be obvious to you at first but an expert has the trained eye to recognize gum disease. Advanced signs of gum disease include:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Consistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
- Swollen or red gums
- Tender gums
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Loose teeth
Is It Possible to Avoid Deep Teeth Cleaning?
If you want to avoid deep teeth cleaning and any form of gum disease, you must be dedicated to excellent, consistent preventive care. This means great oral hygiene at home – brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once – and visiting your Manhattan Beach dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and checkup.
There are some people who are prone to gingivitis because of heredity, medications, or health conditions, but in nearly all other cases, the problem is completely avoidable. It’s as simple as prioritizing your oral health and taking good care of your teeth.
Get Deep Teeth Cleaning in Manhattan Beach
If you have not seen your dentist for a teeth cleaning and checkup for a while or if you suspect that you are suffering from gum disease at any stage, contact Beachside Smiles in Manhattan Beach to schedule an appointment. Our team works carefully and gently to deliver the oral health care you need, to eliminate disease and get your teeth and smile back to a healthy place.
