Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for your overall well-being, making it necessary to seek deep cleaning services when required. The procedure is intense and thorough, targeting disease-causing bacteria in your teeth and gums. You prevent possible dental infections and other severe complications by undergoing the teeth-deep cleaning process. Your dentist may also identify new conditions to treat before they worsen.
Based on this, tooth-deep cleaning procedures are often preventative, and your dentist will recommend them. While all patients will require a deep cleaning, you should attend your dental reviews regularly to give your dentist a chance to assess your dental health. In doing so, they can then make an informed decision on whether to recommend deep cleaning. Since the process is delicate, you must work with an experienced dentist who understands the importance of providing quality services.
At Tarzana Dental Care, you will work with skilled dentists who have successfully undertaken hundreds of deep cleaning procedures. Our team is also equipped with the most effective tools to perform the deep cleaning process with minimal margin for error, making us reliable. Upon contacting us, you can also expect to receive aftercare tips and other essential details to maintain your health. The team can perform deep cleaning procedures for anyone facing possible infection problems.
What Deep Cleaning Entails
Your dentist needs to access the deep tooth pockets that often harbor disease-causing microbes and plaque during a deep cleaning. They must perform tooth scaling and root planing using special tools. The processes require your dentist to use sharp tools to scale the tooth, removing any barriers along the tooth enamel.
A deep cleaning procedure may also involve examining your gums to ensure no other bacteria is stuck between the gum tissue, as it is likely to spread to other areas. Due to this, you may also have to undergo other dental procedures geared towards eliminating bacteria known to cause infections around the teeth.
The intricate nature of deep cleaning sessions requires your dentist to take their time, ensuring they administer care to each affected tooth. You can therefore expect to receive deep cleaning treatment on one section of your dental structure at a time.
For example, the dentist may work on the upper jaw in one session and schedule you for another cleaning session focused on the lower jaw. Doing this gives them a better chance of entirely eliminating any threats to your teeth, increasing your chances of improved oral health.
Deep cleaning procedures are more intensive compared to regular teeth cleaning sessions, as they focus on the pockets surrounding your teeth. In comparison, regular tooth cleaning involves polishing the visible tooth surface to remove plaque and food particles. While regular cleaning is effective, it does not fully guarantee the elimination of gum disease and tooth infections.
Parties in Need of Deep Cleaning
As a dental patient, you may wonder when to undergo a deep cleaning session to prevent periodontal diseases, as their onset is not always apparent. You can begin your research by approaching a trusted dentist to examine your oral hygiene. If they identify serious bacterial growth that may result in gum disease, they will recommend deep cleaning and help you begin your preparation process.
You can also research deep cleaning procedures and whether you qualify for them by reading more on the topic online. Equipping yourself with the details can guide you in spotting common symptoms of periodontal diseases and managing them.
You are likely to qualify for deep cleaning if you experience any or all of the following symptoms:
Receding Gums
Healthy gums cover the entire dental structure, supporting your enamel as you bite and chew. However, infected gums may wither away over time as bacteria grow and feed on the healthy flesh. Gum recession is therefore a common sign of periodontal disease, prompting you to seek dental treatment through deep cleaning.
While some patients may report receding gums over a short period of time, others only notice the change after a long time. This may indicate prolonged harboring of bacteria and other harmful particles, so you must seek treatment urgently. Further, receding gums may cause sensitivity and pain around the teeth as they continuously expose sensitive tooth areas. You should therefore look out for these symptoms to guide you into seeking dental advice.
Bleeding Gums
Another sign of periodontal disease is bleeding gums, caused primarily by continuous bacterial spread. After bacteria attack healthy flesh, it may begin disintegrating and separating, resulting in bleeding. Gum sensitivity is also a primary cause of gum bleeds, and they may become more sensitive to regular friction from eating and drinking.
Additionally, you may notice excessive bleeding when brushing or flossing, indicating extra sensitivity. Upon noticing these symptoms, you need to contact your dentist immediately for assistance and a diagnosis, including a recommendation to undergo a deep cleaning.
Loose Teeth
When your gums are weak, they cannot provide the support required to hold your teeth in position. Due to this, you may notice your teeth shaking, making it uncomfortable for you as you bite or chew. The teeth may also move even when your mouth is at rest upon placing slight pressure on your tongue.
Although teeth may move slightly occasionally, they should not inhibit your ability to perform essential dental functions or cause pain. You should therefore seek treatment options if you notice continuous tooth movements.
Some patients also report bleeding gums on the moving teeth, indicating a disconnect between the gum flesh and the teeth. While the bleeding may stop occasionally, you will experience the recurrent problem until you undergo deep cleaning and eliminate the bacteria causing the mobility.
Teeth Loss
Untreated gum conditions may cause teeth to move so much that they fall off eventually. Teeth loss indicates an extreme version of gum disease, as your gums cannot hold the enamel. This often indicates the severity of decay on your gums from bacterial attacks.
Deep cleaning can help reduce the severity of tooth loss by preventing the spread of bacteria to other healthy gum pockets. After cleaning, you may also request that your dentist replace the lost teeth using crowns and dental implants.
Persistent Bad Breath
Periodontal diseases cause rot in your gums as the bacteria feed on and destroy healthy flesh. The bacteria also continue to feed on sugar deposits and other food particles while harboring on your gums. As they feed on these particles, they release toxic chemicals as waste that produce a foul smell. Since the bacteria are continuously lodged in your gums, you experience persistent bad breath despite brushing your teeth consistently.
You will notice that persistent bad breath smells different from bad breath from failure to brush your teeth. This is because the bacteria causing periodontal diseases actively break down available components throughout. A deep cleaning procedure is helpful to help eliminate the bacteria from the gum pockets and eliminate bad breath and other symptoms.
Jawbone Loss
With prolonged bacteria spread in the gums, the infection may spread into the jawbone, which supports the roots of your teeth. The jawbone also protects your overall dental structure by supporting teeth in place and preventing them from moving. Jawbone loss can be the underlying condition when you notice your teeth moving more than usual.
On top of deep cleaning, your dentist may recommend jawbone transplant surgery to promote recovery in the severely affected area. The surgery should promote jawbone regrowth, which will begin soon after surgery if your health is okay.
How to Prepare for Deep Cleaning
Making preparations before undergoing a deep cleaning procedure helps you be better suited to complete the process successfully, as your dentist will have all the information they need. Each patient requires unique preparatory procedures based on their condition, so the steps may vary. Nevertheless, the following are the main preparatory processes you can expect to undergo in readiness for deep cleaning:
Take X-Ray Images
Many gum disease patients must undergo X-ray imaging to determine how much bacteria has caused jawbone loss. Further, the image may reveal whether the infection has also attacked the tooth enamel, and the dentist relies on the details to establish whether a tooth removal would be effective.
An X-ray image is a quick process that lasts only a few minutes, but it is critical to informing your deep cleaning process. Based on this, you must seek X-ray services from a trusted third party that your dentist may recommend. Alternatively, your dentist’s clinic may have the services available for your convenience.
Provide Your Medical History
Your dental consultation also gives your dentist a chance to understand your condition better, making it easier for them to choose an appropriate treatment option. Among the most critical steps to take is to provide your medical history, including your allergens, underlying medical conditions, and other dental treatments you have previously sought.
Disclosing your allergens, if any, allows the dental team to choose appropriate medication and cleaning agents to avoid triggering a severe reaction during the procedure. Informing your dentist about your allergies can prevent complications, enabling you to complete the treatment successfully.
Additionally, your family history may be the main reason for your vulnerability to gum disease, so you need to inform your dentist of any hereditary conditions. These include additional conditions like diabetes and cancer, often linked to some patients' dental problems. With this information, your dentist can determine whether to supplement the primary treatment you receive for your condition with medication or simply conclude the deep cleaning.
Clear Your Schedule
As discussed, deep cleaning can be lengthy, as your dentist needs to cover each tooth pocket to remove plaque and other residue. Clearing your schedule before treatment is essential, as it gives you the peace of mind you need beforehand.
If you are an employee, you can take sick days or leave days off, depending on your company's policy, to give you enough time for deep cleaning and recovery. Alternatively, you can request additional help in your business to ensure projects are still running despite your absence.
Arrive at the Clinic Early
When you are scheduled for deep cleaning, consider arriving at the clinic early to receive pre-treatment medication and guidelines. Early arrival also allows you to relax and mentally prepare yourself for the upcoming procedure, which can make a significant positive difference.
Your dentist may also have some free time before the scheduled time, so you may have a chance to begin earlier. If you are on a tight schedule, this may benefit you, as you can return to your other duties in good time.
Carry Pain Relief Medicine
Although your dentist will numb your mouth when cleaning the tooth pockets, you are still prone to sensitivity and mild pain after the anesthesia wears off. Carrying painkillers to help relieve pain after deep cleaning is advisable, as it saves you from the discomfort you may otherwise feel.
You can also request painkillers at the clinic, as the staff has them for patients undergoing similar procedures. However, carrying your preferred painkillers is advisable, especially if you have previously suffered severe reactions to the medicine available at the clinic.
What to Expect During the Deep Cleaning Process
Once the dentist sets up the workstation, you will rest on the dental seat and receive sedation. Many clinics use Nitrous Oxide or laughing gas to sedate patients during deep cleaning, as it provides the required anesthetic value. After the dental team confirms your sedation, the dentist cleans using their specialized tools.
Their procedures require root planing and scaling, so the dentist uses an ultrasonic device to plan each tooth. In doing so, they also open up the tooth pocket enough to reach the residue for removal. A hand-held tooth scaling device is also helpful in scraping out stubborn plaque and other particles, leaving the pocket clear.
At the same time, the dentist must clean the open pockets to eliminate any bacteria harbored in the surrounding areas. They flush the bacteria out through local irrigation, which involves spraying water or a mild disinfecting agent around the tooth they are working on. Special dental tubes will distribute the antibacterial agent around the tooth, leaving the pockets clean and ready for covering.
After repeating the process along each tooth, the deep cleaning process concludes, and the dentist can now close all open tooth pockets. If your case involves additional complications like tooth cavities or decay, tooth loss, or bleeding gums, you will receive aftercare remedies to help you fully recover.
Aftercare Tips to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Deep cleaning is just the beginning when trying to improve your dental health, so you need aftercare tips to help you maintain the results. Your dentist will invite you to a consultation soon after your procedure to guide you on the essential care tips to undertake. Some important pointers to follow include:
Brush and Floss Your Teeth Regularly
Proper oral hygiene is crucial after your deep cleaning session, as it prevents bacteria from reoccupying the tooth pockets. Additionally, brushing and flossing at least twice daily prevents food particles and plaque development, which is the leading cause of periodontal diseases. You can therefore protect your dental health by following a consistent cleaning routine and introducing mouthwash when required.
Eat Soft Foods for a Few Days After the Procedure
The deep cleaning process involves accessing your teeth's pockets, meaning your dentist opens up the surrounding gum areas. Since the pockets are still tender after deep cleaning, you should eat soft foods for a few days to allow them to recover. You may then return for a follow-up appointment, where the dentist will advise you on whether to return to a regular diet.
Consider Water Flossing
Regular flossing may also be harsher on your gums than water flossing, so your dentist may recommend changing to this method for a more effective cleaning. Water flossing also makes it easier to flush out all stuck particles between teeth, giving you a more straightforward and painless cleaning routine.
Contact a Tarzana Dentist Near Me
When you or a loved one is at risk of severe tooth and gum infection from bacteria, your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning procedure. The goal of the process is to remove the bacteria and other harmful particles, like plaque and food particles, from the teeth's pockets. Upon concluding the process, you are more likely to make a full recovery and avoid additional treatment procedures. The deep cleaning procedure requires you to work with a highly experienced dentist to reach the sensitive pockets inside your teeth and gums. Therefore, working with an experienced team is essential to raising the chances of a successful case outcome.
At Tarzana Dental Care, we provide excellent dental services, including a deep cleaning service to help you rebuild your dental health. We also provide helpful tips to guide you through your recovery and help you avoid severe complications in the future. With our help, you can expect your dental health to improve gradually as long as you follow all aftercare tips. You can access our consultation and deep cleaning services in Tarzana, California. For more information on deep cleaning procedures and whether you need one, call us today at 818-708-3232.