Is Dental Deep Cleaning and Periodontal Treatment Painful?
A dental deep cleaning is composed of dental scaling and root planing. It is more involved than the typical cleaning you get at the dentist’s office because it goes below your gum line and cleans off the roots. It’s done when you have a lot of tartar buildup that is causing you an infection in your gums. You will have an anesthetic to numb the pain during the procedure and many patients are very satisfied with the results when it is all done.
You may have been told that you need a dental deep cleaning, but you might be left wondering why. It is a treatment done to help periodontal disease. Almost half of all adults over the age of 30 have at least some periodontal disease, or disease of the gums.
How do you know if you have periodontal disease?
- You have red or swollen gums
- Your gums are pulling away from your teeth
- You have chronic bad breath not related to what you just ate
- You see pus near the gum line or in the gums
- Your teeth are loose
- Your teeth look longer than they used to
If you have any of these symptoms, you should schedule a dental visit as soon as possible to get your dentist’s opinion and start a treatment plan. He or she will examine your teeth and gums and take some X-rays to see what your teeth roots and jaw bone look like.
Your deep dental cleaning is generally done under anesthesia because the scaling and root planing involved can be painful. But, when the treatment is done and your gums have healed, you will no doubt feel a lot better and be healthier for having had the treatment.
What is periodontal treatment?
Periodontal treatment is designed to remove the bacteria that accumulate under the gums that emit acids which eat away at the jaw bone and lead to permanent damage. It happens when you don’t keep up a good oral health home care routine that includes brushing and flossing daily and you end up with tartar buildup under your gum line.
Periodontal disease is something that can progress to significant bone loss if not treated soon after discovery. Your body is sending all of its resources to the area to help treat the infection but the resulting trauma can actually make things worse.
The differences between your regular teeth cleaning you get from your dental hygienist every six months and a dental deep cleaning are several.
- Your regular cleaning works on the teeth above the gum line or at least just to the gum line
- A dental cleaning polishes your teeth to remove surface stains
- A dental deep cleaning gets in and removes bacteria from underneath your gums
Your dentist will not usually do regular cleanings when you are in need of a dental deep cleaning to keep from loosening bacteria and sending it through your bloodstream to unleash issues elsewhere.
What happens if you don’t treat gum disease? It can leave you vulnerable to worsened:
- Diabetes
- Inflammation
- Heart disease
- COPD
and negatively affect your overall health. Plus, gum disease can lead to low birth weight babies, so expectant moms really need to schedule a visit to the dentist.
Why do I need a dental deep cleaning?
If you are experiencing pain in your gums or bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, you should go see your dentist as soon as you can. He or she will examine your gums to see if you do indeed have periodontal disease. If you have pockets in your gums where they have pulled away from your teeth by four or five millimeters, they can catch bacteria and cause infections.
Your dentist will want to clean that out to remove the bacteria and protect your teeth and jaw from further damage. This may take two appointments to complete, depending on what you need to have done in order to complete the process.
A dental deep cleaning is a combination of scaling or removing the plaque and tartar on your teeth and root planing. This removes the stuff that your toothbrush just can’t reach.
A root planing is when the dentist or periodontist cleans your roots using either tools or a laser. This process will get the bacteria out that are stuck down below the gum line and restoring health to your gums. It also roughs up the surface of your roots ever so slightly and gives your gums something to hold onto again.
What can I do at home after a dental deep cleaning?
Your dentist may send you home with an antibiotic to help clear up the infection. You should take all of the antibiotics you were given to make sure it is the most effective. You may also have a prescription for a pain reliever, or you may be told you can take an over the counter pain reliever. Take as prescribed if you need it for any pain or aches.
You will probably be asked to come to see your dentist for a follow-up appointment or two in a few weeks to check on your progress and see if there is anything else that needs to be done.
It is also important to resume brushing and flossing regularly when you get home from your dental deep cleaning. It is that plaque that has led to the bacteria accumulation you had removed so by keeping your teeth clean you will help prevent that from returning.
Is a dental deep cleaning expensive?
It can be, but you have to weigh it against how much your overall health is worth it. And, many insurance companies will provide partial if not complete coverage for your dental deep cleaning. Plus, your dentist is more than likely willing to work with you on creating a payment plan that will get you the treatment you need when you need it and not cause you to stress over finances.
Gum disease is quite treatable when caught early, and a dental deep cleaning can do a lot to remove the bacteria that are causing the issue. The dental deep cleaning can be painful at the time, especially when compared to standard cleaning, but after the treatment is done almost every patient feels so much better and they have more energy again. And, you will feel more like smiling that great smile again. So if you see any symptoms of gum disease, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can.
Contact Us
IVANOV Orthodontic Experts, 12866 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami, FL 33181
https://www.google.com/maps?cid=154326063970645489
Call us at (786) 540-1919 to schedule a free orthodontic exam.
Learn more about Can a Root Canal Cure Gum Infection and Pain? at https://ivanovortho.com/root-canal-infection-help-pain/
