Deep Gum Cleaning and additional information

26 February 2014

Deep Gum Cleaning and additional information

During deep gum cleaning, your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling involves the scraping off of the hardened plaque or tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing on the other hand entails smoothing of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to gum and teeth disease. In actual practice, the two processes do tend to blur together since during the cleaning process, the dentist or hygienist scales away tartar and also planes at the roots when found necessary at the same treatment session.

Dental experts prescribe deep gum cleaning to stop gingivitis and other gum disease from progressing by getting rid of the bacteria in the periodontal pocket, thereby providing the conditions necessary for healing to take place. Plaque and tartar left on the teeth provide ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive in the mouth. The build-up in bacterial growth eventually irritates the gums, making them more susceptible to bleeding. If the inflammation of the gums, or gingivitis, is not treated, it will spread down to the foundations of the tooth, causing a periodontal pocket. Within the pocket, the bacteria will again thrive and cause even more damage. The diseased gum could break down the supporting bone structures and loosen the teeth irreversibly. However, if gum disease is detected on time, its progression can be stopped through deep cleaning treatment.

If detected early enough and the periodontal the pockets are not yet too deep, there may be little or no discomfort during the scaling and root planing procedure, even without using numbing medication. However, the dentist or dental hygienist typically uses some amount of injectable anaesthetics depending on the depth of the pocket and severity of the root surface irregularity in order to make the entire process less uncomfortable for the patient. The whole procedure may be completed in a single visit. However, most dental professionals recommend working only on one-fourth or one-half of the mouth per appointment for better manageability. After a scaling and planing procedure, patients usually experience some numbness from the effect of the anesthesia. This is temporary and should last only for a short while. Discomfort and some soreness and bleeding following root planing in a deep region under the gums may be expected and countered with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Your dentist or hygienist may recommend rinsing your mouth with salt water or chlorhexidine.

It is important to note though that deep gum cleaning through scaling and root planing has certain limitations, the most obvious being that the maximum access of a dental probing instrument is up to 6mm only. Hence, for cleaning deeper than 6mm, periodontal surgery may be the better treatment option for ridding of pathogens and deeply embedded plaque and tartar. If the pocket that has formed is already inaccessible to the dentist, or it does not heal following the regular treatment, it may be necessary to surgically get access to the area so that it can be cleaned properly.