What is a Deep Cleaning and How do I Know if I Need One?

Practicing good oral hygiene is the first step toward maintaining healthy gums and a beautiful smile, especially as you get older. But even brushing and flossing every day isn’t enough to completely eliminate the risk of common oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease. 

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), skipping preventive care, which includes regular checkups and dental cleanings, can put your smile and oral health at risk. In addition to preventing nasty plaque and tartar buildup, regular dental exams can help to catch problems before they cause lasting damage to your teeth and gums. 

But if you haven’t kept up with your preventive dental care, you’re not alone. Many people wait until there’s a problem to call the dentist, usually in the form of pain, bleeding gums, or other symptoms. 

At Manhasset Dental Arts, our dentists Dr. Elizabeth Abrams and Dr. Michael Abrams and the rest of the dental team offer a range of dentistry services to get your smile and oral health back on track, even if it’s been a while since your last appointment. Read more below about deep cleanings and the signs that you might need one.

What is a deep cleaning?

Also known as a root planing and scaling, a deep dental cleaning is a treatment that removes plaque and tartar buildup between the teeth and gums. The treatment targets the space under the gumline up to the root of your teeth, where a toothbrush and floss can’t reach. Unlike the standard cleaning performed at your routine dental appointment, a deep cleaning is recommended when the dentist finds “pockets” between the teeth and gums, which is a sign of gum disease.

If left untreated, gum disease can progress and lead to permanent damage to the connective and soft tissue that supports your teeth, and ultimately result in tooth loss in serious cases (also known as advanced periodontitis).

Signs that you may need a deep dental cleaning 

While symptoms like bleeding, tender, and swollen gums are early warning signs of gum disease, you will need a checkup to determine if you need more advanced treatment. Pockets aren’t necessarily visible to the naked eye, and some people don’t really experience any noticeable symptoms at all. If it’s been some time since you’ve had your teeth cleaned and evaluated, our dentists may recommend a deep cleaning to help get your oral health back on track.

It’s never too late to take control of your oral health and invest in your smile. For more information about the preventive and restorative dentistry services available at our Manhasset office, contact us today to schedule an appointment by either calling or requesting an appointment online.