Benefits and Downsides of Deep Cleaning Teeth

Benefits and Downsides of Deep Cleaning Teeth

Jun 01, 2021

Proper dental hygiene helps fight bad breath and prevent gum disease. Therefore it is essential for you to regularly brush and floss and see the dentist in Houston, TX, twice a year. Sometimes the Houston dentist recommends deep cleaning teeth. It is an indicator that you might have bleeding gums, loose teeth, and gum recession. Deep cleaning is also called periodontal scaling or root planing and is a standard procedure.

Deep cleaning, although beneficial as its benefits and downsides. Please read this blog to know more about deep cleaning teeth, including their benefits and downsides.

The Definition of Deep Cleaning Teeth

A deep cleaning near me helps remove plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth, reducing gum inflammation and improving the health of your gums. Plaque is a sticky film continuously forming on your teeth. Plaque is full of bacteria and develops with the mixing of food particles with saliva. Plaque is easily removable by brushing your teeth. Unfortunately, brushing alone does not remove all plaque from between your teeth. The leftover plaque hardens to tartar.

The accumulation of plaque and tartar in your mouth leads to gum disease. It includes gingivitis, an inflammation of your gums. When left untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a severe infection destroying the bone supporting the teeth.

What Are the Benefits of Deep Cleaning?

Deep cleaning in Houston, TX, is recommended if gum disease causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets greater than 5 mm deep. The space between your gums and teeth continues to widen if you let gum disease worsen. The progress of gum disease weakens the bones supporting your teeth resulting in loose teeth or tooth loss.

If the Houston dentist recommends a deep cleaning, you accrue the benefits of this procedure which include:

  • Preventing the progress of gum disease.
  • You are treating an existing infection to promote healing.
  • You are cleaning your teeth above and below the gum line.
  • Eliminating halitosis caused by gum disease.
  • You are protecting your tooth roots.

What Does Deep Cleaning Involve?

Deep cleanings are different from routine cleanings provided by dentists. Regular cleanings help remove plaque and tartar from above the gum line. On the other hand, deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar build-up from below the gum line.

Gum disease causes spaces to develop between your teeth and gums where plaque and tartar remain trapped. The build-up is removed from below the gum line by deep cleaning.

Deep Cleaning May Involve Gum Scaling and Root Planing

You require to schedule a couple of appointments for deep cleanings involving gum Scaling and root planing. Each visit may need a couple of hours.

The tooth scaling appointment is when the Houston dentist eliminates plaque and tartar from below the line. During your visit for root planing, the dentist removes plaque and tartar forming on your tooth roots. The procedure helps reduce the size of the pockets between your teeth and gums, allowing your gums to reattach to the teeth.

The Downsides of Deep Cleaning

The procedure of deep cleaning helps treat gum disease but has some downsides that you must be aware of. The deep cleaning procedure can cause:

  • Nerve damage.
  • The procedure does not guarantee the reattachment of your gums to your teeth.
  • Deep cleaning and cause your gums to recede and cause infections if your immune system is compromised.
  • Some pain and sensitivity are standard after the procedure.

The most common side effects of deep cleaning teeth are pain and sensitivity, and the risks from the procedure are minimal, lasting for five to seven days. However, in extensive cases, the discomfort may extend to a few weeks.

Is Deep Cleaning Uncomfortable?

Some discomfort is expected with teeth scaling and root planing. To help you manage the pain, you receive a unique topical or local anesthetic to numb your gums. Some sensitivity after your treatment is also expected with swelling and minor bleeding.

Dentists recommend not to have scorching hot or freezing foods for a few days after your procedure, sticking to soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, or mashed potatoes. You can have over-the-counter pain medications to reduce inflammation and manage the sensitivity you experience.

Regular brushing and flossing promote healing and reduce additional gum inflammation. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush for brushing two times a day and flossing at least once is recommended by dentists if you wish to overcome the gum inflammation you have developed and avoid the deep cleaning procedure.