Deep dental cleanings are one of the most common procedures at Washington Court House Dental to treat periodontal disease. You might need a periodontal cleaning if it’s been a while since your last appointment. But what exactly is a deep dental cleaning, and how can it benefit your health?
Gum disease, periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is a severe infection that affects the tissues surrounding your teeth. If left untreated, it can destroy the bone that supports your teeth and cause teeth to loosen or even result in tooth loss.
Gum disease begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed. When this happens, your gums will pull away from your teeth and form spaces called pockets that fill with plaque, tartar, and bacteria. In time, these pockets become deeper, filling with more bacteria.
Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. Here are some symptoms to look out for that could signal a need for periodontal care:
Deep dental cleaning, or periodontal cleaning, is a dental treatment that cleans the gums and teeth down to the roots. Unlike a regular cleaning that involves cleaning the tooth above the gum line, deep dental cleaning goes much further.
During a deep dental cleaning, the dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar buildup from the crown down the gum line to the tooth’s root, polishes your teeth, and treats them with fluoride. This involves two steps:
Your dentist may recommend periodontal care if you’ve been recently diagnosed with gum disease. The goal of deep scaling and root planing is to treat periodontitis, or gum disease, causing the condition to go into remission.
Studies show deep dental cleaning to be an extremely effective non-surgical procedure to stop and prevent the progression of gum disease. Reducing the pockets between teeth and gums through teeth scaling and root planing will minimize your risk of experiencing tooth, bone, and tissue loss associated with chronic periodontal disease.
Deep dental cleanings typically take 45 minutes, but they may take longer, depending on the severity of your gum disease.
Immediately after a periodontal cleaning, you may experience slight swelling, soreness, or bruising. You can also expect your teeth and gums to be sensitive, which should disappear after a few weeks. Eating soft foods such as yogurt or applesauce or avoiding extremely hot or cold foods and drinks for a few days after your procedure can help reduce sensitivity. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications to reduce inflammation.
If not treated, gum disease can cause a loss of tissue and bone, and ultimately you may lose one or more teeth. The bacteria can also enter your bloodstream through the gum tissue, possibly affecting other body parts, which can strain your immune system and cause other health problems like coronary artery disease, respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.
The cost of periodontal care varies depending on the complexity of the disease, but you can expect to pay $100 or more per quadrant. Luckily, dental insurance will cover this cost.
If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease or suspect gum disease, going for deep dental cleaning is the best way to treat and prevent the condition from worsening and causing tooth loss. Contact our dental office in Washington Court House, OH, today to schedule an appointment!
Call 740-333-7290 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
