A deep dental cleaning, sometimes referred to as gum therapy, is a treatment that cleans between the gums and the teeth down to the roots. This process is more extensive than a standard cleaning and is designed to treat gum disease and prevent it from getting worse. During the procedure, the hygienist or dentist will clean the tooth, the gumline, and the sides of the teeth. They will also remove any buildup of tartar below the gum line to the root of the tooth, which is known as “root scraping and smoothing”.
Depending on what your insurance allows, this may require a few visits to complete. If your immune system is compromised, you may need to take an antibiotic for a few days after the procedure. This is because there is a risk of infection after a deep dental cleaning, as bacteria can be released into the bloodstream. A general dentist can determine how often routine cleanings are needed based on the results of deep dental cleaning and an evaluation.
Regular dental cleanings (which are less invasive than deep dental cleanings) can also help remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and along the gum line to prevent the development of gum disease or tooth decay. It's important to brush and floss your teeth regularly, and visit a dentist twice a year for routine dental cleanings. After a thorough dental cleaning, an evaluation can be performed to determine how often routine cleanings are needed.