Sometimes your teeth need something a little more than a normal cleaning. This is primarily needed when plaque has been able to build up and then harden to form tartar. The main difference between a regular dental cleaning and a deep dental cleaning is what area is being cleaned. A deep clean typically involves removing plaque and tartar below the gum line whereas a normal cleaning is at, and above the gum line.

A deep cleaning may be required in order to prevent the development of gum disease, also known as periodontitis. When gum disease starts going below the gum line, the bacteria can get into the periodontal pockets around your teeth. This can lead to receding gum lines or even complete tooth loss. Healthy pockets are usually only 3 millimeters deep or less below the gum line. Anything deeper than that and a deep cleaning is necessary to prevent gum disease from becoming worse.

what is a dental deep cleaning

Seeing the tools for a deep dental cleaning and knowing that the hygienist has to go below the gum line can seem a little scary at first. However, it’s not nearly as bad as you may think, and we’ll quickly explain why a deep dental clean is not only worth it, but easy and pain-free.

Is A Deep Dental Cleaning Painful?

During a deep clean, also known as root scaling and planing, special dental tools are used to clean areas of the tooth that are below the gum line. These tools remove built up plaque and tartar that can hold harmful bacteria that can cause worsening gum disease.

Because these tools have to reach below the gum line, the level of discomfort is increased when compared to a normal cleaning of the teeth. Because of this, your hygienist will apply a local anesthetic to the area to provide a numbing effect, thus dramatically reducing the discomfort the patient feels. However, the amount of discomfort can vary from patient to patient depending on tolerance level. If you believe you might be more sensitive to pain and discomfort, make sure to let your hygienist know.

How Long A Deep Cleaning Takes

The time it takes to complete a full deep cleaning varies depending on a few factors. Obviously, the more plaque and tartar there is to remove then the longer the cleaning may take. However, keep in mind that in almost all situations a deep cleaning will take longer than a normal cleaning.

In general, 45 minutes to an hour are needed for each quadrant requiring cleaning. So if only one quadrant of your mouth is in need of a deep cleaning, then you can expect a single session to complete the process. But if you need two quadrants, or even all four quadrants, then multiple sessions may be required to remove all of the plaque and tartar.

How Long Does It Take To Recover?

Recovery time may depend on the number of quadrants cleaned and the number of sessions needed to complete the deep clean. Rest assured, though, that the road to recovery is short and mostly comfortable. After your deep cleaning is complete, it’s fairly normal to have a discomforting, almost sore feeling. Your gums may also feel a little sensitive for a few days, but this is all normal.

If you are worried about any pain or discomfort after a deep cleaning, over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol or Advil work just fine for relieving pain. You can also try rinsing your mouth with a saline solution to reduce pain.

Painless Deep Dental Cleaning In Keller, Texas

Pickett Family Dental has provided numerous patients with pain-free deep dental cleaning. Dr. Pickett works to continually improve his dental practice by keeping up with the latest technologies, practices, and improvements in the Field of Dentistry so that you, the patient, can receive the best dental care. If you’re looking for the best dental cleaning in Keller, Texas, schedule an appointment today.