Do I Need a Dental Cleaning or a Deep Cleaning? What’s the Difference?  

When you visit the dentist every six months for a standard dental cleaning, your teeth are cleaned of plaque and tartar, and much of the bacteria in your mouth is washed away. Did you know that there’s such a thing as a deep cleaning procedure? When you visit your dentist in Aitkin and Crosby MN, you’ll find out whether you need a deep cleaning or a standard cleaning. In this article, we’ll answer questions you may have about deep cleaning, and so you can better understand these two procedures.

What Is a Dental Deep Cleaning?

Whereas a standard teeth cleaning involves cleaning the teeth above the gum line, a dental deep cleaning involves scaling. Your dental professional uses a hand-held tool to scrape the plaque from the teeth below the gum line. Your dentist may also use an electronic tool with a vibrating metal tip to remove tartar. The water spray will wash the tartar away.

Finally, your dentist will “root plane” your teeth to remove rough spots where bacteria can stick to the tooth in the future. If your teeth need it, your dental professional may also use antibiotics to get rid of germs under the gum line. Unlike standard cleanings, deep cleanings require two appointments.

Who Needs a Dental Deep Cleaning?

Patients who need dental deep cleanings usually have problems with gum disease. A deep cleaning can help fight back gum disease, or prevent tooth loss in the event that the gum disease is progressing.

What Are the Signs a Deep Cleaning Is Right For You?

If you have the beginning stages of gum disease, then you may need a dental deep cleaning. While some patients are not aware that they’re in the early stages of gum disease, knowing what to look for can help you know when it’s time to seek dental help. Here’s what to watch for:

• Bad taste in the mouth, or bad breath, even after brushing your teeth
• Gums bleed easily
• Loose permanent teeth
• Swollen, red gums
• Gum recession

Need Your Teeth Cleaned? Visit River Oaks Dental Today

Do you need a deep cleaning in Aitkin and Crosby, MN? Call River Oaks Dental to make an appointment today.