These days most people understand the need to keep up with their oral health, but most don’t realize the importance and benefits of a deep cleaning of their teeth. Sure most of us brush twice a day, floss and get enough water but the fact is, that’s not enough to actually clean the areas where gum disease starts and can cause long-term damage.
Regular cleanings are meant to prevent tartar and plaque from accumulating but a deep cleaning goes beyond the surface of the tooth and targets the buildup below the gumline. This is where early signs of gum disease begins.
Dentists and hygienists refer to deep cleaning as scaling and root planing, and it’s the proactive treatment that stops small problems from turning into major dental issues.
How Deep Cleanings Support Gum Health
Removes plaque beneath the gumline
A deep cleaning removes plaque that has hardened into tartar under the gums. This plaque irritates the tissue and creates pockets in the gums. These pockets let bacteria settle in and multiply but a deep cleaning removes this buildup and makes it easier for the gums to reattach to the tooth roots and help maintain gum health.
Prevents gingivitis from progressing
A deep cleaning can reverse gum inflammation if its caught early. Deep cleanings of the teeth disrupt the bacterial environment that causes gingivitis and helps stop the progression to periodontitis (a more serious form of gum disease.)
If you have noticed slight bleeding while you brush, a deep clean treatment will be recommended before the issues spread and/or cause permanent damage.
If you’re unsure whether you might benefit from a deep cleaning watch for the following signs:
- Persistent bad breath despite brushing and flossing.
- Gums that bleed easily or feel tender.
- Redness or swelling near the gumline.
- A feeling of looseness in one or more teeth.
- A history of missed cleanings or overdue dental checkups.
To summarize, deep cleanings reduce inflammation, shrink gum pockets, and support long-term oral health.
We always tell our patients that keeping your gums healthy is equally as important as keeping your teeth healthy.
How Deep Cleaning Protects the Roots of Your Teeth
Smoothing and cleaning the root surface
One part of a deep cleaning involves planing the roots. Root planing involves gently smoothing the root of the tooth so bacteria have fewer places to cling to.
This helps keep harmful microbes from reattaching to the root of the tooth and allows the gums to heal and stay strong without bacterial interference.
Here’s a breakdown of why a smoother root surface matters:
- Bacteria have fewer areas to hide and colonize.
- It makes it easier for gums to reattach to clean root surfaces.
- Future tartar buildup is less likely to occur.
- Healing happens faster and more completely.
- Your hygienist can more easily monitor your gum health.
Slows and prevents bone loss
If bacteria is allowed to sit at the root level too long, they begin to affect the bone that holds your teeth in place. Once bone loss starts happening, the health of your teeth and gums are highly at risk. Your teeth become loose, your gums hurts and your whole mouth starts to feel terribly unhealthy.
A deep cleaning however, is a sure way to stop that process early and gives your gums a chance to recover.
For those with mild to moderate attachment loss, this treatment will actually help avoid a more aggressive surgical interventions in the future.
Properly maintaining the bone and gum support around your teeth keeps them stable and strong. Deep cleanings are one of the few non-surgical tools that helps achieve and maintain optimal oral health.
Supports Fresher Breath
Tacks hidden bacteria
Chronic bad breath is usually caused by bacteria that is trapped below the gumline in areas that you cannot access with regular brushing and flossing.
A deep cleaning of the teeth removes that odour-causing bacteria right at the source and helps your mouth become truly clean.
A noticeable difference in comfort
Many of our patients regularly report that their mouths feel fresher and less tender after a deep cleaning. They report that redness and sensitivity improves because the gums are healing and inflammation is subsiding.
We advise that if you’ve struggled with breath or irritation even though you practice good home care, a deep cleaning procedure may be the missing piece in restoring your oral health and comfort.
It’s a Step That Pays Off Long-Term
If you feel any of the symptoms we explained above, we promise you that once you’ve had a deep cleaning and continue visits for maintenance, you’re going to notice the difference especially if you’ve had signs of gum disease. Follow-up visits are necessary and help keep plaque from rebuilding while protecting the gains you’ve made from the initial treatment.
To our Brantford readers, feel free to visit our page about dental teeth cleaning for more information and ways to set up an appointment.