When your dentist recommends deep teeth cleaning, it’s because he or she can see signs that your daily oral hygiene regimen isn’t enough to prevent the buildup of tartar. One of the most important types of dental cleaning included in hygiene therapy, deep cleaning is vital for maintaining a healthy smile for life. Let’s take a look at when—and why—deep teeth cleaning is appropriate for Scarborough patients, and how often this is likely to be needed during an average adult’s lifetime.
Reasons for Needing Deep Teeth Cleaning in Scarborough
We all have a certain amount of bacteria in the mouth, which combines with other substances to form plaque on the teeth. Regular daily oral hygiene takes care of much of the plaque, but any that doesn’t get brushed and flossed away can harden and develop into tartar. Unless this is removed professionally, it stays on the teeth and can cause gingivitis or gum inflammation. Regular deep cleaning can prevent this from happening, rather than having you wait for it to begin.
What Happens Without Deep Teeth Cleaning
When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance into a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. The gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, creating spaces or pockets in which oral bacteria can easily hide. Over time, this causes infection of the gum tissue that connects to your teeth, and it could recede enough to expose and damage the jawbone holding the teeth in place. This can result in potential tooth loss or even infection in the jawbone.
You might see additional signs that show deep teeth cleaning is necessary, including:
1. Redness, swelling or bleeding of the gums
2. Continuous bad breath
3. Signs that your teeth are getting “longer”
4. Tender, sensitive teeth and gums
5. Pain when you bite or chew
6. Loose teeth
Deep teeth cleaning in Scarborough at Havenview Dental, is the first step towards halting gum disease in its tracks and preventing you from losing teeth. Since inflammation anywhere in your body can affect your heart and overall health, this measure will also help to stop you from developing other long-term consequences.
What Deep Dental Cleaning Involves
Deep cleaning is also called scaling and root planing (SRP), and while it’s a similar process to the regular teeth cleaning your hygienist does, it focuses on the parts of the tooth below the gum line and the external surface of the roots. The dentist uses a hand-held scaler to scrape the thickest plaque from your teeth, right down to the bottom of the pockets. This is followed by using an ultrasonic vibrating tool and water spray to remove the tartar.
The root planing part of the process involves cleaning and smoothing the surfaces so the gum tissue can reattach to the teeth. Here’s a video from the American Dental Association illustrating the procedure, which is pain-free and takes our Scarborough dental office about an hour to perform. The treatment ends with a thorough tooth polishing and a concentrated fluoride treatment to keep your teeth healthy and sparkling for the next few months.
How Often You Should Have Your Teeth Deep-Cleaned in Scarborough
Everyone is different, and so is the amount of attention each person pays to dental hygiene. We typically recommend that in addition to regular dental checkups, patients with healthy mouths have a deep dental cleaning every 2 to 3 years to prevent the accumulation of plaque that can lead to problems later in life.
Maintaining a healthy dental hygiene program is important for good oral (and overall) health. Our qualified dentists and hygienists work closely with patients to ensure you not only keep your teeth clean, but that your gums stay healthy too!
To book your deep teeth cleaning in Scarborough, please call 416-291-3117 or click here to schedule an appointment.
