What’s a Cleaning and Deep Cleaning?

The Difference between a Cleaning and Deep Cleaning

Having your teeth cleaned regularly is as important as brushing and flossing your teeth. Ignoring even one of them can come in the way of having a healthy smile. During the routine dental cleaning, the dental hygienist cleans the pockets of the teeth between the roots of teeth and gums. Plaque and tartar build up in these pockets over the time. Though brushing and flossing can help, but they alone are not sufficient, says the dentist in Gilbert.

Prophylaxis- Clinical Hygiene Visit- A ‘Cleaning’

It’s another name for standard cleaning process. These are the average preventive care visits where the hygienist uses a cavitron ultrasonic scaling tool for breaking up the tartar on the surface of your teeth. Then they use the scaling tool to scale or remove the plaque and tartar from gaps in between your teeth. The hygienist will then polish the teeth which will give a smooth and clean feel. He will provide a fluoride treatment to the teeth for preventing decay and strengthening the enamel.

Scaling and Root Planing- A ‘Deep Cleaning’

According to the dentist near Gilbert, AZ, a deep cleaning is a scaling and root planing treatment. The hygienist goes into every pocket along the teeth and scale and root plan between the gums and teeth. This is the main difference between deep cleaning and standard clinical hygiene visit. Scaling alone is not sufficient for patients as they need cleaning of root’s surface and the pockets between teeth and gums.

Scaling and root planing are ideal for patients with large buildup of plaque and tartar along their gums, which can lead to receding gums, known as periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the inflammation of gums and when it goes untreated, it becomes Periodontitis. According to dentist near 85296, Periodontitis occurs when the inflammation starts to affect the supporting tissue in the gums and supporting bone.

If left untreated, Periodontitis can also lead to tooth loss and bone loss. It is better to take preventive measures for preserving your dental health than going for expensive restorative treatments.