Deep Cleaning

Deep cleanings at the dentist can stop gum disease from worsening to the point of costing you your teeth or requiring surgery. The dentists at Hendricks Dental Specialists in Brentwood, Tennessee, provide deep cleanings, including scaling and root planing, to remove hardened bacterial buildup and close gum pockets. To find out if you need a deep cleaning, call Hendricks Dental Specialists or schedule an appointment online today.

What is a deep cleaning?

In dentistry, a deep cleaning goes beyond the ability of a typical cleaning to remove bacterial buildup from your teeth. Over time, this bacteria can get under your gums and cause gum disease, which leads to gum pockets, where your gums separate from your teeth. 

Normal brushing and flossing can’t remove the buildup of plaque (a bacterial film) and tartar (hardened plaque). A deep cleaning can. It involves two steps:

Scaling

Scaling involves scraping the built-up tartar off the surfaces of your teeth. While a regular cleaning does this, too, scaling takes it a step further by removing buildup under your gums. Your dentist uses specialized tools to reach the bottom of your gum pockets. 

Root planing

Root planing happens after scaling, and it helps your gum tissue bond to the newly cleaned surfaces of the roots of your teeth. It involves smoothing the tooth roots to encourage reattachment. 

You might need to take antibiotics as part of your deep cleaning process to avoid an infection after the procedure. 

When do I need a deep cleaning?

Deep cleanings address periodontal disease that can no longer be reversed with a normal cleaning and improved brushing and flossing practices. While you should still brush and floss your teeth to avoid future gum disease after your deep cleaning, habit changes alone can’t get rid of the hardened bacterial buildup. 

You should let the team at Hendricks Dental Specialists know if you experience signs of gum disease like:

• Frequent gum bleeding
• Red or swollen gums
• Relentless bad breath
• Loose adult teeth
• Visible gum recession or pockets
• Sensitive teeth

Severe periodontal disease might require additional treatments like gum surgery or grafts. However, detecting signs of gum disease early and getting a deep cleaning can help you avoid these more complex treatments. A deep cleaning might also help you avoid losing otherwise healthy teeth to gum disease. 

If you have signs of gum disease, call Hendricks Dental Specialists or schedule an appointment online today to see if you need a deep cleaning.