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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.

The difference between a deep dental cleaning, which includes scaling and root planing, and routine dental cleaning is really just a matter of thoroughness. The dental hygienist who will remove plaque from your mouth on your next visit is doing a general cleaning so the dentist can see what may need treatment. Deep cleaning is a more complex procedure, includes root planing, and may include another treatment like using lasers to kill bacteria.

Who Is Deep Teeth Cleaning For?

Deep cleaning is used when an infection has caused gingivitis or, more seriously, periodontal disease. It includes two aspects; scaling, where tartar buildup that can hide bacteria is removed, and root planing, which involves smoothing the rough surface of the roots below the gum line.