The Advantages and Disadvantages of Deep Cleaning Teeth

It’s completely understandable that after being informed by your dentist that you will need to undergo deep cleanings, some degree of anxiety is expected. You may have concerns regarding the pain involved, the number of appointments that will be required, and even how much the whole process will cost. After all, your smile impacts how you show up in the world every single day.

At Berkeley Lake Dental, Dr. Duc Huynh and our team believe that keeping you comfortable is just as important as fixing your teeth. 

The following guide will break down the essential advantages and disadvantages of deep cleaning teeth to help you make a confident, well-informed choice for your smile. 

What Is a Deep Teeth Cleaning?

Standard dental cleanings only rub the surfaces above your gums. On the other hand, a deep clean for teeth involves the removal of bad bacteria underneath the gum line, somewhere that your toothbrush cannot reach.

Every day a sticky layer of bacteria known as plaque builds up on your teeth.If you don’t brush it away, it turns into hard tartar that traps dangerous bacteria right against your delicate gum tissue.At Berkeley Lake Dental, experts use the latest technology to remove this stubborn tartar build-up. 

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), scaling and root planing might be necessary when these pockets are deep enough not to be cleaned by a routine professional cleaning procedure.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Deep Cleaning?

There are multiple dental deep cleaning benefits if one suffers from gum disease beyond the scope of a regular cleaning:

• Removal of Plaque and Tartar Under the Gums: Plaque that is firmly attached to the teeth cannot be brushed away by regular tooth brushing.
• Slows Progression of Gum Disease: Removal of deposits in the periodontal pockets will allow the control of gum infection and inflammation.
• Promotes Gum Healing: It enables the dentist to clean the irritant bacteria responsible for the swelling and inflammation.
• Prevents Damage to Tooth Support System: The treatment of gum disease protects the bone and other tissues that support your teeth.

Deep cleaning procedures are offered at Berkeley Lake Dental as a part of our periodontal services. We focus on healing the root structures, not just making your teeth cleaner.

What are the Temporary Risks of a Deep Dental Cleaning? 

Understanding the disadvantages of deep cleaning teeth can help you feel prepared rather than anxious about treatment. Most issues are temporary and depend entirely on the current health condition of your gums:

1. Temporary tooth sensitivity: Many people deal with this condition. It happens when the teeth are exposed to air or sudden temperature changes. This usually occurs in areas that were once protected, like where a filling or crown used to be. The sensitivity is usually short-lived. Goes away on its own. This condition usually takes up to a week.
2. Bleeding Gums: It is possible that you will experience some discomfort in your gums after the treatment. Some degree of bleeding is normal for about a day or two following the procedure, in case your gums were very inflamed before the treatment.
3. Gum Recession: One more condition you may be experiencing after the treatment is gum recession. In other words, your teeth may appear to be elongated. This is due to the healing of the gums, which causes their reduction in size.
4. Multiple Visits: Deep cleaning is typically performed in several visits, two to four. Dentists usually perform the cleaning in one or two areas of the mouth during each visit.

What Are the Common Dental Deep Cleaning Side Effects?

To help you track your recovery, it helps to separate normal dental deep cleaning side effects from rare risks.

Common Side Effects

• Gum Soreness: The tissue will feel tender in the areas where cleaning tools work under the gums. Gum Soreness normally lasts between 3 and 7 days.
• Tooth Sensitivity: Your teeth may react sharply to cold or sweet substances. Tooth Sensitivity can last from one to several weeks.
• Minor Bleeding: You may notice a few drops of blood in the sink when brushing your teeth over the first 48 hours. This minor bleeding is a normal part of the healing process and typically stops completely by the second day.

Rare Risks

• Infection: In exceptional situations, bacteria could infect the bloodstream. If you have a weak immune system, the dentist might prescribe preventive antibiotics.
• Nerve Irritation: It is an exceptionally rare effect, as professional tools are guided with great care not to affect the inner nerves.

How to Care for Your Smile Post-Procedure

Oral care following a dental procedure is very important to avoid the occurrence of side effects and promote healing of the tissues.

Within the First 24 Hours

• Pain Management: Take pain relievers available over the counter (Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen) just before the anesthetic effect starts to wear off.
• Ice Application: Should there be any swelling, apply ice packs to your cheek, alternating 20 minutes on, 10 minutes off.
• Diet Advice: Eat only soft foods such as yoghurt, applesauce, and smoothies that are either cold or lukewarm. Avoid hot food and drinks as well as hard and sharp foods.

After 24 Hours

• Rinse your mouth gently with salt water (a half teaspoon of salt diluted in a glass of lukewarm water) several times a day.
• Brush and floss every day! Use a soft toothbrush and be gentle while cleaning your gum line to prevent bacteria from settling.

Conclusion

It is completely normal to feel nervous about a deep cleaning, especially if your teeth are already sensitive or your gums are sore. However, once you learn about the benefits and disadvantages of deep cleaning teeth, you will be able to see that it is not as daunting a process. While the disadvantages of deep cleaning teeth are temporary, leaving advanced gum disease untreated can lead to irreversible bone damage and permanent tooth loss

If you are suffering from issues like bleeding gums, halitosis, or gum soreness, then why wait for your problem to become serious? You can contact Berkeley Lake Dental through our website or call us.

FAQs:

How long does the treatment process take?

The entire process is typically broken down into two to four separate appointments, depending on how much tartar is present. Each individual visit lasts about one hour 

Can I eat after the procedure?

Wait for the anesthesia to wear off to avoid biting your tongue or cheek by accident. Stick to soft food for the first day.

How often do I need to deep clean teeth professionally?

A therapeutic deep cleaning treatment is usually a one-time procedure to clear an infection. After this, you will simply switch to routine “periodontal maintenance” cleanings every three to six months to keep the pockets clean.

Will a deep cleaning fix loose teeth?

Removing the deep bacteria allows the gums to tighten back up around the teeth. However, if severe bone loss has occurred, additional treatments may be required.

Does Deep Cleaning on Teeth Hurt?

Deep teeth cleaning does not hurt during the procedure because your dentist uses a local anesthetic to numb your gums. You can read more about what to expect on the Berkeley Lake Dental Guide.