Deep Teeth Cleaning - Why Scaling And Root Planing Are Needed
Deep teeth cleaning is a procedure designed to maintain oral health and prevent periodontal diseases. It's alright to undergo teeth whitening and bleaching and other dental procedures to improve the look of your teeth and your smile, but these procedures are not enough to maintain a solid oral health record. Sparkling white teeth do not necessarily mean that you also have a sterling dental health. What is deep teeth cleaning? Deep cleaning pertains to tooth scale or scaling and root planing. Scaling involves the removal of plaque from the surfaces of teeth, while root planing entails smoothening dental roots by removing dentin, microorganisms and dirt that cause the roughening of teeth surfaces. Why we need it Deep pockets along the roots of the teeth can appear due to bone recession. These pockets are difficult to clean and brushing alone will not do the job. As time goes, more and more plaque, bacteria and other unwanted materials thrive on these pockets which could eventually lead to gum irritation and even gum diseases. How the procedure is done Scaling and root planing are usually done by quadrants or segments. This means that a patient who wants or needs to undergo a complete deep cleaning procedure might have to visit the dentist's office twice or four times. A dentist might work on the upper left side of the mouth first and ask the patient to return to have the upper right, the lower left and lower right sides cleaned later. Depending on how deep the pockets are and how rough the surfaces of the teeth have become, a patient might be given anesthetics to make him or her more comfortable. The after effects Undergoing deep dental cleaning might result in some discomfort for the patient. Teeth can become more sensitive to cold and hot temperatures for a couple of days after the procedure. The mouth will likely feel sore for a few days and the patient might even experience minimal gum bleeding. To avoid aggravating the pain and discomfort, the patient should brush his or her teeth gently and avoid eating or drinking very cold or very hot food and drinks. If the patient's tolerance for pain is not very high, the patient can ask the dentist to recommend a pain killer that can be purchased over the counter. Deep teeth cleaning should be done at least once a year, while smokers are advised to visit the dentist at least twice a year. Teeth bleaching or whitening is a good way to care for your teeth, but undergoing scaling and root planing is even better. |
