The Difference Between Dental and Deep Cleaning

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To keep your smile consistently healthy, you need to attend regular dental cleanings at least twice a year (generally) as well as keep up with good hygiene. Whether at home or at your dentist’s office, the point of regular cleaning is to remove the harmful plaque that various types of oral bacteria form on your teeth and gums. In some cases, this may involve cleaning the film from underneath your gums – a process known as deep cleaning – in order to prevent the development or progression of gum disease.

Routine Preventive Cleaning

Oral bacteria naturally inhabit your mouth, and as such, they’re a constant presence. They’re also the leading causes behind issues like cavities and gum disease, which is why controlling their presence is necessary for your good oral health. Cleaning your teeth at home by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once helps keep bacteria and the plaque they produce at bay. Yet, the small spots of plaque that you miss now and then can quickly calcify into tartar, which your dentist or hygienist can remove during your regular checkup and cleaning appointments.

Scaling and Root Planing

When your smile is healthy, regular cleanings involve carefully cleaning plaque and tartar off of your teeth and along your gum line, then polishing your tooth enamel to make it harder for oral bacteria to cling to it. When bacteria have worked their way underneath your gums, however, simple cleaning may not suffice, and your dentist may suggest deep cleaning to remove the threat to your gums. Deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, involves carefully cleaning the root surfaces of your teeth (scaling) and smoothing them (planing), allowing your gums to heal and reduce your risks of experiencing severe gum disease.

Keep Your Smile Healthy with Preventive Cleaning

Whether you just need routine preventive dental cleaning or require deep cleaning to address the beginning stages of gingivitis, schedule a consultation with us by calling Celina Family Dentistry in Celina, TX, today at (214) 851-0130.