If you suffer from chronic periodontitis, late-stage gum disease, or advanced tooth decay in Texas City, TX, it is understandable if you believe tooth loss or tooth removal is your only option. But don’t give up on your natural smile just yet! Not when our team at Bayview Dental Center can perform a restorative procedure like a deep cleaning treatment.
Deep Cleaning Vs. Teeth Cleaning
You may find yourself wondering how deep cleaning differs from teeth cleaning. The easiest way to distinguish them is to think of a “regular” teeth cleaning as a preventative dentistry method and a deep cleaning as a restorative dentistry procedure.
A teeth cleaning assists in eliminating any harmful bacteria before they can do damage. A deep cleaning aims to repair the damage this bacteria has already caused.
As the oral care issue it addresses is much more complex, the deep cleaning method is more involved. Also known as a tooth scaling and root planing procedure, this process physically removes bacteria and tooth decay. Then the procedure promotes your natural tooth’s recovery so it can heal, thus avoiding the need to be pulled.
Am I A Candidate For Deep Cleaning?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 25% of adults over 30 will have some form of gum disease in their lifetime. Thankfully, with proper dental hygiene and routine visits, these cases can be resolved without the need for deep cleaning.
If you do notice any of the following symptoms, you may want to see us about potential gum disease:
- A receding gumline
- Frequent, bleeding gums
- Inflamed gums
- Red or discolored gums
- Constant bad breath
- A shift or change in your bite
It is important to act swiftly to preserve your natural teeth. We are ready to provide you with care to restore your smile to its healthiest and brightest.
How Does The Deep Cleaning Treatment Work?
To ensure that you are receiving the most accurate and personalized oral care, we will first schedule a consultation to go over your medical history and schedule a dental exam, including an x-ray. This will allow us to determine not only which teeth will need to be focused on, but how much care they will need during the procedure.
Step One: Anesthesia
The deep cleaning treatment is an outpatient procedure. This means local anesthetics are used in the vast majority of the treatments.
Our team wants to meet each of our patient’s needs, including comfort. If you suffer from dental anxiety or prefer an alternative to local anesthesia, you may be interested in our sedation dentistry options.
Step Two: Tooth Scaling
Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the tooth scaling process will begin. As stated above, the main cause of such severe dental damage is caused by tooth decay or gum disease, both stemming from harmful bacteria.
By the time a deep clean is necessary, bacteria have created plaque (a yellowish film) and tartar (a hardened form of plaque).
Our dental team will gently remove both of these unwanted substances from your teeth and gums. Without this harmful buildup constantly attacking your gums, your mouth will be given a chance to heal.
Step Three: Root Planing
Removing the bacterial buildup prevents future harm, but a deep clean treatment is a restorative procedure. This means repairing the damage that has already been done.
Delicately, our dental team will help smooth your tooth’s roots, making sure they are properly attached to the gums, and will optimize the healing process. This will reverse any damage caused by gum disease or tooth decay.