Is a Deep Cleaning Painful?

A deep cleaning isn’t the same as your average teeth cleaning. It’s a more in-depth intervention to stop or slow gum disease. 

The process removes plaque and tartar buildup from the roots of your teeth under your gums. It also helps your gums reattach to the roots of your teeth after pockets have formed.  

If you’re unfamiliar with the deep cleaning process, you might wonder if you should prepare for pain, dental anxiety, or discomfort. Our leading dentists at Hendricks Dental Specialists in Brentwood, Tennessee, can ease your mind about what to expect from this common gum disease treatment. 

By reading this article, you’ll learn the basics about the deep cleaning process, what it feels like to get a deep cleaning, and what to expect after your treatment. 

The steps of a deep cleaning

A deep dental cleaning is also called scaling and root planing. This is a treatment to remove harmful bacterial buildup from the surfaces of your teeth, which is the main cause of gum disease. 

Scaling

Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth both above and below the gum line. 

Typical dental cleanings also remove some plaque and tartar, but scaling also reaches into the pockets that have formed between your gums and teeth. 

Root planing

Root planing is the second step of the deep cleaning process. We use specialized instruments to smooth the surfaces of the roots of your teeth. This helps the gum tissue reattach after the bacteria has been removed. 

What you can expect

You can expect your deep cleaning appointment to take 1-2 hours at Hendricks Dental Specialists. 

Scaling and root planing are excellent for reducing gum disease and the bad breath that can result, but the process is rigorous. 

To prevent pain or discomfort during the treatment, we give you local anesthesia to numb your gums. A deep cleaning isn’t painful when it involves anesthesia. 

Our team may use ultrasonic instruments to loosen and remove plaque and tartar.  During the treatment, they might also inject antibiotics into your gums to eliminate active bacteria. 

The importance of deep cleaning

A deep cleaning can stop or reverse gum disease while improving your overall oral health. Untreated gum disease can lead to a variety of unpleasant symptoms and complications, including:

• Bad breath
• Gum recession or pocketing 
• Bleeding gums 
• Sore or tender gums
• Loose or shifting teeth
• An unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Eventual tooth loss

A deep cleaning can help eliminate or reverse the symptoms of gum disease while preventing serious complications like tooth and bone loss. 

The bacteria that causes gum disease can spread into your bloodstream and cause a host of health issues. Therefore, a deep cleaning can promote better overall health.  

Healing after a deep cleaning 

After a deep cleaning, your teeth and gums might feel temporarily sore, tender, or more sensitive than usual. This is normal. Our team will help you manage these symptoms. However, you can usually return to your normal routine the same day. 

We may prescribe antibiotics to take after your deep cleaning. Follow their instructions closely and complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed. 

A deep cleaning can give your gums a much-needed reset. Call Hendricks Dental Specialists to schedule your appointment today.