Below The Surface

Why You Might Need

A Deep

Cleaning

You brush your teeth, you floss (mostly), and you show up for your dental checkup. So, why did the hygienist just tell you that a regular cleaning won't cut it? Welcome to the invisible world of gum disease, where what you can't see can actually hurt you.

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1. Regular Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning

A "regular cleaning" (technically called a Prophylaxis) is preventative. It focuses on cleaning the crowns of your teeth—the parts you can clearly see above the gumline. It is meant for patients who have generally healthy gums and only minor plaque buildup.

A Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing) is a medical treatment for an active infection. It goes below the gumline to clean the roots of your teeth where dangerous bacteria have set up camp.

Signs You Might Need a Deep Cleaning

  • Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss.
  • Red, swollen, or tender gums.
  • Persistent bad breath that won't go away with mouthwash.
  • Gums that appear to be pulling away from your teeth (recession).
  • Teeth that feel slightly loose.

2. How Did the Bacteria Get Down There?

Every time you eat, a sticky film of bacteria called plaque forms on your teeth. If it isn't brushed away perfectly, it hardens into tartar (calculus) in just 48 hours. You cannot brush tartar away at home.

When tartar builds up along the gumline, it irritates your gums. In response, your gums become inflamed and actually begin to pull away from the teeth, creating little "pockets." Bacteria love to hide in these dark, deep pockets, spreading further down the root of your tooth and eventually eating away at your jawbone. If the infection reaches the inner pulp of the tooth, it can even result in the need for a root canal.

3. What Happens During a Deep Cleaning?

Don't worry—your comfort is our priority at Happy Light Dental! Because we are working below the gumline, we typically use local anesthesia to numb the area so you won't feel any pain.

Step 1: Scaling. We use specialized instruments to carefully remove all the hardened tartar, plaque, and bacterial toxins from above and below the gumline, all the way down to the bottom of the pocket.

Step 2: Root Planing. We then smooth out the rough spots on the roots of your teeth. Think of it like sanding down a rough piece of wood. Smooth roots make it much harder for bacteria to attach in the future, and they give your gums a clean surface to re-attach to.

4. Protecting Your Foundation

You wouldn't build a beautiful house on a crumbling foundation, and your smile is no different! Untreated gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, which often requires complex replacements like dental implants or dentures. By completing a prescribed deep cleaning, you are stopping bone loss in its tracks and saving your natural teeth.

If it has been a while since your last cleaning, or if you notice your gums bleeding when you brush, don't wait. Schedule a checkup and cleaning at Happy Light Dental today. Let's get your gums back to pink and healthy!