Deep Cleaning in Connecticut
Brushing alone isn’t enough to remove plaque from between your teeth. A professional deep cleaning is highly recommended to keep your teeth and gums healthy. At Shoreline Dental Care, we offer deep cleaning in Connecticut to help our patients keep a bright and healthy smile!
Deep Teeth Cleaning
Deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is a dental procedure that removes the bacteria and debris found on the surface of your teeth. This procedure is done with an ultrasonic scaler, which uses high-frequency sound waves to break up plaque and tartar buildup.
Deep dental cleaning may be recommended if you have neglected your regular dental cleanings for a long time, or if you are showing signs of gum disease or periodontal disease.
Who Needs a Deep Cleaning?
A deep dental cleaning is not the same as a regular cleaning. Regular cleanings should be scheduled twice a year and are meant to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Regular cleanings are part of a preventive routine for patients who already have good oral health.
Deep cleaning, on the other hand, is a more complex process that may be needed if you have poor oral health. It involves scaling to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth and the pockets between the teeth and gums, and root planing to remove plaque and tartar from the roots of your teeth.
You may need a deep cleaning if you:
- Notice that your gums bleed when you brush and floss
- Haven’t kept up with your regular dental cleaning schedule
- Have deep pockets between your teeth and gums
- Have excessive plaque buildup below the gumline
- Have mild to moderate gum disease
The Deep Cleaning Process
A deep dental cleaning consists of scaling and root planing. With scaling, the dentist will use a special dental scaler to scrape plaque from your teeth above and below your gum line. They may also use a water spray to wash tartar away.
Caring for Your Teeth After Deep Cleaning
It is important to maintain good oral hygiene habits after your deep cleaning so plaque and bacteria don’t begin to build back up. This means you should brush and floss your teeth daily and get regular dental checkups every six months.
Root planning is then used to smooth rough spots on the roots of your teeth to help prevent bacteria from building up. The dentist may also use an antibiotic gel or a special antibiotic mouth rinse to remove hard-to-reach germs.
Because it is more complex than a regular dental cleaning, it may take two appointments to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may experience some mild discomfort during the procedure, but it shouldn’t be painful. The hygienist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area during the cleaning. Afterward, you may experience some soreness in your gums.
No. Deep cleaning is a specialized service for patients who are experiencing signs of gum disease and need additional tools to remove plaque and bacteria, beyond what a regular cleaning consists of. Unlike regular cleanings, deep cleanings are not meant to be preventive services, they are used only when your oral health begins to decline.
A deep cleaning can prevent gum disease from progressing into a more serious form of periodontal disease. When plaque and bacteria buildup are treated quickly, it significantly reduces your risk of more serious problems like tooth decay.
Ready to Get Your Teeth Clean? Contact Shoreline Dental Care Today!
At Shoreline Dental Care, we want to make sure you keep your smile beautiful for life. We offer comprehensive cleaning services to help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health.
To learn more about our dental services, contact us today!
