Do You Need a Deep Cleaning or a Regular Cleaning?

A deep cleaning is a specialized treatment based upon the needs of the patient, whereas a regular cleaning is recommended to all patients to maintain good oral health. So how you know if you are in need of a deep cleaning or a regular cleaning will depend upon the health of your pocketing below the gum line. 

Do I Need a Deep Cleaning?

If you are developing or have uncontrolled gum disease with tartar or rough surfaces below the gum line, then it is likely a deep cleaning will be recommended to you. An assessment of your oral health will provide the dental team the information needed to discuss with you what your best treatment option is. 

What to Expect at Your Dental Exam

What to expect at your initial assessment or exam, is a review of your health history, dental x-rays if it has been awhile, and measuring the depths of the gum pockets around each tooth. 

This is referred to as probing, which is no wonder why dentistry strikes anxiety in the hearts of many. Despite the terrible name, probing is a simple assessment. It's a small instrument with ruler type markings for the clinician to read, this tool measures the depths of the pockets around all the teeth. 

This measurement is how deep below the gumline is the base of the gum pocket.  A healthy depth is no deeper than 3mm. So what does it mean if your numbers climb higher than a 1-3mm pocket?

Gum Disease

A 4mm pocket is a sign of early gum disease. A depth of 4mm or more means the gums are inflamed and/or early bone loss is taking place. Deeper numbers indicate the anchoring bone around the tooth is being lost.

Time for a Deep Cleaning

A deep cleaning also known as scaling and root planing is recommended when there are deepening pockets below the gum line. During the exam a dentist or hygienist will feel the surfaces around the tooth and the root of the tooth below the gum. Rough root surfaces and tartar above and below the gum line may be detected during this assessment. 

Rough root surfaces and tartar harbors bacteria and irritates the bone and gum tissue. These inflammatory and pathogenic conditions, if left untreated can cause further loss of the supporting bone around the teeth, and these inflammatory pathogenic products can travel to other areas of the body and cause disease. 

A few 4mm pockets here and there doesn’t necessarily mean you need a deep cleaning, it can simply reveal the gum in this area is inflamed and needs more attention when flossing. The overall exam will provide a complete picture of your best course of treatment.