If you’ve visited a dentist, you must have heard about deep and regular teeth cleaning. But did you ever wonder about the difference between the two? If you believe that both methods are the same, then you’re awfully wrong. Regular cleaning (prophylaxis) is preventive care that keeps your oral health in the best condition.
However, a deep cleaning (periodontal) is different, and to burst your bubble – it’s a complete dental procedural treatment.
Let’s dig deep to learn more about it.
What is periodontal cleaning in Houston?
Periodontal cleaning or “deep cleaning” is a dental procedure in which tartar (mineralized plaque) and bacteria are removed from teeth below the gum line. It is different from regular cleaning (prophylaxis), which only removes tartar and bacteria on the tooth surface.
Periodontal cleaning is recommended for people who suffer from a disease known as periodontitis. Let’s see what arises the need for periodontal cleaning in Houston.
What is Periodontitis or Periodontal disease?
Periodontitis is a stinging gum infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone supporting your teeth. Periodontitis usually occurs when the gum houses plaque – an adhesive film of food bacteria, debris, and saliva. If you don’t seek immediate care to remove plaque, it can transform into tartar (a more problematic substance).
Tartar is responsible for causing gum irritation and inflammation – the first stage of periodontitis. If you don’t take action, periodontitis can destroy bone and connective tissue supporting your teeth, ultimately causing them to fall out. For preventing periodontitis, deep/periodontal cleaning is the treatment procedure undertaken, which involves removing tartar and plaque from your teeth and gums.
A healthy gum line ensures your teeth stay in place. Hence, doctors recommend seeking periodontal cleaning at least once a year, especially if you have diabetes or smoke cigarettes.
Process of Periodontal Cleaning in Houston
Let’s look at some of the steps involved in deep cleaning.
Diagnosis
Initially, a dentist requires an oral examination to decide whether you have periodontal disease. A typical process usually checks for the following issues:
- Spaces between your gums and teeth (called pockets)
- Gum recession
- Bone loss
- Loose teeth
- Pus around the teeth and gums
Once completed, the dentist moves forward with developing a treatment plan.
Treatment
The treatment options for periodontal disease usually include scaling and root planing and periodontal surgery. Let’s briefly go over the treatments.
- Scaling and root planing
Scaling is the process of removing tartar and plaque from overhead and below the gum line. On the other hand, root planing involves smoothing rough spots on the teeth’s roots where bacteria can thrive. A dentist uses special tools such as a curette or an ultrasonic scaler (a hand-held tool that uses sound waves to remove tartar).
After scaling and root planing, your dentist or periodontist may recommend a periodontal maintenance program to get teeth cleaned every three to six months. The frequency of cleaning usually depends on the severity of periodontitis. - Periodontal surgery
If scaling and root planning fails, surgery may be needed. Usually, surgery will involve a full mouth cleaning using anesthesia. After the surgery, the dentist’s job is done, and you have to take care of your teeth’ health and maintenance.
Conclusion
Periodontal disease can transform into a nightmare, causing your teeth to fall out. You wouldn’t want that, right? If you feel a tingling between your gums, it’s a sign, and you must act now. Contact Pearl Shine Dental Clinic to get effective prompt periodontal cleaning in Houston.