Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning

To maintain a healthy and beautiful smile, you need to brush and floss every day. You also need to have routine professional cleanings at least twice a year at the dentist. These oral health habits will help you prevent bad breath, sensitive teeth, tooth discoloration, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Sometimes, we recommend a deep cleaning instead of a regular cleaning. In this blog post, we discuss how a deep dental cleaning is different than a routine cleaning.

What to Expect During a Routine Cleaning

These cleanings take between 30-60 minutes. Using special tools, your hygienist will remove plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from your teeth and gumline. Once they’re done, they’ll polish and floss your teeth. During your checkup, one of our dentists will come in and perform an exam. When you get regular cleanings twice a year, you’re less likely to develop dental disease.

What Is a Deep Cleaning?

Deep cleanings treat gum disease. This condition is characterized by gums that are tender, puffy, prone to bleeding gum, and receding. Irritated gums are vulnerable to infection, and can contribute to eventual tooth loss and jawbone loss if left untreated.

When we identify gum disease in its early stage (known as gingivitis), you might only need to improve your brushing, flossing, and diet at home. In more serious cases, a deep cleaning may also be necessary. We’ll clean away any plaque and tartar on and between your teeth, but we’ll also go quite a bit below the gumline to clean out any pockets that have formed around your teeth.

These cleanings can take longer (1-2 hours) so sometimes you’ll need a second appointment. Because deep cleanings are more intense than a regular cleaning, you might feel some discomfort and sensitivity afterward.

Dental Cleanings in Chandler, AZ

If you maintain great oral hygiene at home and keep up with regular appointments, you may never need a deep cleaning! Even if you do need one at some point, it doesn’t mean you’ll always need them. It may be just the fresh start your teeth and gums need.

Please contact us today if you’re ready to schedule your next cleaning or if you have any questions about our comprehensive dental services!

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Image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

Categorised in: Gum Health, Oral Health, Preventive Dental Care