Keeping your teeth and gums healthy starts with regular dental cleanings. At Fallowfield Dental in Ottawa, our family-friendly team provides care that goes beyond routine cleaning to address deeper oral health concerns when needed.
A routine dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and is ideal for patients with generally healthy gums. A deep cleaning, on the other hand, reaches below the gum line to treat gum disease, prevent tooth loss, and stop further gum inflammation.
Let’s explore these two types of cleanings further so you can understand how each protects your teeth, gums, and overall oral health.
Routine Dental Cleanings
Routine dental cleanings, also called regular cleanings, are performed by a dental hygienist to remove plaque and tartar that build up on teeth over time. These cleanings target the surfaces above the gum line and are key for preventing cavities, bad breath, and early signs of gum disease. During a routine cleaning, your hygienist will:
- Remove plaque and tartar from teeth
- Polish teeth to maintain pearly whites
- Check for cavities, gum inflammation, and other dental problems
- Apply fluoride treatment to protect enamel
Regular cleanings are ideal for patients with generally healthy teeth and gums. Most patients benefit from a routine cleaning every six months to prevent decay and maintain good oral health.
Deep Dental Cleaning
A deep dental cleaning, also called scaling and root planing or periodontal scaling, is recommended when gum disease is present or when there are signs of advanced gum disease. Unlike routine cleaning, a deep cleaning targets plaque and tartar below the gum line, where bacteria can lead to further gum inflammation, loose teeth, and even tooth loss.
A deep cleaning procedure may require local anesthesia to keep patients comfortable. It’s often completed over multiple sessions, depending on the severity of periodontal disease. During a deep cleaning appointment, your dental professional will:
- Remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line
- Smooth tooth roots so gums can reattach
- Reduce pocket depth to prevent further gum disease
- Provide periodontal maintenance to protect long-term gum health
Deep cleanings are essential for patients showing early signs of periodontal disease, bleeding gums, or gum inflammation that has not improved with routine cleaning.
Benefits of Both Cleanings
Both regular and deep cleanings play big roles in keeping a mouth healthy. Regular cleanings remove plaque buildup before it becomes tartar, keeping teeth and gums strong. Deep dental cleaning treats gum disease, prevents tooth loss, and can stop further gum inflammation from affecting your overall health.
Dentists recommend regular checkups and cleanings as part of your dental health. Good oral health practices at home, like brushing, flossing, and using a fluoride product, complement these professional cleanings.
FAQ
Why are dentists pushing deep cleaning?
Deep cleaning helps treat periodontal disease before it leads to tooth loss, loose teeth, or further gum inflammation. It’s a preventive measure that protects both gum health and overall health.
What is the difference between normal cleaning and deep cleaning?
Normal cleaning focuses on the teeth’s surfaces and is done regularly for healthy gums. Deep cleaning targets the gum line and tooth roots, addressing bacteria and tartar buildup that can cause gum disease.
Are deep cleanings at the dentist worth it?
Yes. If gum disease or early signs of periodontal disease are present, deep cleanings remove plaque and tartar, prevent tooth loss, and promote healthy gums and teeth.