Maintaining good oral hygiene is important for a healthy smile, but sometimes regular brushing and flossing might not be enough. That’s when you may need deeper cleaning, especially if your gums are inflamed or your dentist notices signs of gum disease. Visiting a periodontist for a deep cleaning can help prevent problems from getting worse. But when should you make that appointment? Let’s talk about the right time to visit a periodontist for a deep cleaning briefly.
What is a Deep Cleaning of Teeth?
A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, is a special dental procedure that goes beyond your regular tooth deep clean. It’s used to treat gum disease, also known as periodontitis. Gum disease happens when bacteria, food particles, and plaque build-up on your teeth and under your gums. Eventually, it pulls down the gums away from the teeth, and food particles get trapped in that area, creating pockets that are harbors for even more bacteria.
- Scaling is the process by which the dentist scrapes off the plaque and tartar, which are substances that form on your teeth and under your gums.
- Root planing smooths out the roots of your teeth, helping your gums reattach to the teeth and preventing bacteria from growing there in the future.
Signs You May Need a Deep Cleaning
You might need a deep cleaning if you notice any of the following:
- Your gums are red, swollen, or bleeding.
- Your gums are receding from your teeth.
- You have bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away.
- Your teeth are loose.
- You have pain when you chew.
When to Visit a Periodontist for a Deep Cleaning?
You may need to visit a periodontist for a deep cleaning if:
- You have signs of gum disease: As mentioned earlier, red, swollen gums, bad breath, and receding gums are all signs that you may need more than regular dental cleaning.
- Your dentist recommends it: During a routine check-up, your dentist near you may notice that your gum disease has progressed and refer you to a periodontist for a deep cleaning.
- You have deep pockets around your teeth: In case the pockets that separate the individual teeth and the gums are deep, a regular cleaning cannot eliminate all the debris. A deep cleaning is needed to clean out these pockets and help your gums heal.
- You want to prevent tooth loss: Gum disease is one of the causes of tooth loss in adults. If you want to keep your natural teeth, visiting a periodontist for a deep cleaning can help prevent the disease from getting worse.
- You’re at higher risk for gum disease: Some people are more likely to develop gum disease due to factors like smoking, diabetes, or a family history of gum problems. Patients who are more susceptible to gum problems may be advised to visit a periodontist for check-ups and even maintenance.
Why Visit a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in treating gum disease. Here’s why you should visit a periodontist near you for a deep cleaning:
- Specialized expertise:Â Gum diseases are diagnosed and treated by specialists known as periodontists. They know the effective techniques to clean the roots of your teeth and help your gums heal.
- Advanced tools:Â Specific techniques and instruments are employed by the periodontists when conducting these cleanings. This ensures that all the bacteria, plaque, and tartar are removed from deep under your gums.
- Prevent future problems: After your deep cleaning, a periodontist can give you recommendations on how to take care of your teeth and gums at home to prevent gum disease from coming back.
Benefits of a Deep Cleaning
There are many benefits of getting a periodontal clean from a periodontist, including:
- Prevents gum disease from worsening: A deep cleaning can prevent gum disease from worsening by removing plaque and bacteria from deep under your gums.
- Helps your gums heal: After a deep cleaning, your gums have a chance to heal and reattach to your teeth, reducing the size of the pockets between your teeth and gums.
- Improves your breath: Cleaning your mouth by removing bacteria and plaque can help in eliminating the bad breath caused by gum diseases.
- Reduces tooth sensitivity: If you have exposed roots due to receding gums, a deep cleaning can help minimize tooth sensitivity by allowing the gums to heal and reattach to the roots.
- Saves money in the long run: This means that early treatment of gum disease with a deep clean might prevent the need for more costly procedures such as surgery or tooth replacement and many others in the future.
How to Prevent Needing a Deep Cleaning?
To avoid needing a deep cleaning in the future, it’s important to take good care of your teeth and gums. Here are some tips:
- Brush at least twice a day: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth and gums daily.
- Floss daily: Flossing helps to remove food particles and plaque that have accumulated between your teeth and under your gum line.
- Visit your dentist regularly: Regular dental check-ups and cleanings by a dentist in Cambridge are essential for preventing gum disease.
- Quit smoking: Smoking is a major contributor to gum disease. Giving up smoking can benefit your gums and overall health.
Deep Dental Cleaning Before and After
Before a deep dental cleaning, you may experience swollen gums, bad breath, and plaque buildup. Following the treatment, your gums begin to recover, reduce inflammation, and recede to their original position around your teeth. This will result in other benefits like better breath, reduced pockets of swelling in gums and healthier teeth in the long run to avoid other related complications.
Protect Your Smile With Deep Cleaning Today!
Cambridge Port Dental is dedicated to providing exceptional oral treatment in a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Our team of periodontist in Cambridge offers a range of services, from routine checkups to more advanced treatments, all designed to keep your smile healthy and bright. We use modern techniques to ensure your visit is smooth and stress-free. Are you ready to care for your oral health? So why wait? Call our clinic and make the appointment right now.