What is a Deep Dental Cleaning and Who Needs One?

Nearly half of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of gum or periodontal disease. That figure increases to 70.1% for adults older than 65 years. 

Gum disease can wreak havoc on your oral health. Left untreated, it can lead to deterioration of your jawbone, which can be seen in a dental x-ray. As bone loss progresses, your teeth become loose and can eventually tooth loss.

The good news is that gum disease can be reversed  treated early,

At Downtown Dental Studio in the Financial District of Downtown New York City, our dental and periodontal experts conquer gum disease with state-of-the-art deep dental cleanings.

Deep dental cleanings go well-beyond routine, bi-annual cleanings. In fact, it entails cleaning not just your teeth but also under your gumline. Here’s why deep cleaning is your best defense in tackling periodontal disease.

Plaque: Enemy No. 1

Gum disease starts innocently enough: In the early stage, gingivitis, your gums can become red and swollen and may bleed. Other signs of gum disease include:

• Bad breath
• Red or purple gums
• Gum tenderness
• Pain when chewing

Untreated gingivitis can progress quickly to periodontitis. During periodontitis, your gums pull away from your teeth, creating pockets where more bacteria can collect and cause further damage.

Who needs a deep cleaning?

Deep cleaning is generally recommended when there are pockets of more than 4 millimeters between your gums and teeth. This occurs when bacteria damage supporting tissue and bone, resulting in deep pockets that provide a larger space for bacteria to thrive. 

The deep dive

Deep cleaning requires anesthesia and several follow-up visits to ensure the infection has been cleared and your gums are healing.

The procedure consists of two steps:

• Scaling is the first. It entails removing all plaque and tartar from your teeth and under your gums where the pockets have formed. This part of the treatment is performed with special ultrasonic instruments.
• Root planing is step two. It’s the process of smoothing the planes of your roots to encourage your gums to reattach snugly to your teeth. 

After your deep cleaning, it’s essential to maintain healthy teeth and gums with good home hygiene. That means brushing twice a day, flossing at least daily, and coming in for routine dental cleanings and a check-up every six months.

To learn more about gum disease prevention and treatment, book an appointment online or call us today.