If you have heard the term "deep cleaning" before, chances are you have a form of periodontal disease, more commonly called gum disease. The severity of infection can range from mild to severe and can be localized to one area or throughout the entire mouth. The term deep cleaning means that rather than just removing the hard and soft deposits from the teeth, as in a regular cleaning, bacterial toxins and material from under the gum tissue is removed as well. This is usually done with a topical or local anesthetic, and is not nearly as unpleasant as it sounds! Leaving periodontal disease untreated can lead to other systemic issues.
Deep cleaning is one of the most effective ways to address issues with your gums. The ability to get remove the hard and soft mineral and bacterial deposits out from underneath your gums before they cause further damage is imperative. Once you remove the harmful deposits and bacteria, then your gums will be able to heal and be more effective in protecting your tooth roots and stabilizing your teeth. Scaling, or deep cleaning, addresses the presence of pockets of infection hidden under the gums. Eliminating infection from the cause can reduce further damage. A dental professional can go through the options available for deep cleaning, as well as target areas of particular concern in your mouth. Those targeted areas could include where your gums have been bleeding or where you have noticed increased sensitivity and swollen tissue. A deep cleaning is no longer a preventative treatment, but treatment of active disease and infection.