While taking a seat in a dentist’s chair can cause a spike in most people’s stress levels, it’s recommended you have a routine dental cleaning at least once a year.
However, many people, as much as half of us adults, may need the more comprehensive deep cleaning. Find out what that means, why you need it, and what you can look forward to.
What Is Deep Teeth Cleaning?
Deep teeth cleaning is a less formal name for a procedure called periodontal scaling and root planing. In some ways, it’s similar to the standard cleaning that you’d get from a dental hygienist. Both involve the removal of plaque and tartar from the teeth and gum line to treat or prevent periodontitis. However, dental deep cleaning is a more thorough treatment most often used when bacteria have already begun to cause a serious infection.
An infection in the gums is called gingivitis or gum disease. It’s usually caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar, which creates an anaerobic environment for bacteria to thrive around the teeth and under the gum line. Left untreated, it can turn into a worse form of infection called periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss and worse.