All you need to know about Deep Cleaning

Is Deep Cleaning Important (Scaling and Root Planing)?

Maintaining proper dental hygiene (regular brushing and flossing) is not always enough to keep your oral cavity in good shape. That is why we advise you to visit our dentist at least once a year to have a general check-up and a regular cleaning. Unfortunately, more than 30 per cent of Americans do not visit their dentist on a regular basis resulting in increasing cases of different dental problems including gingivitis, and periodontitis.

So you already had your teeth cleaned and suddenly the dental hygienist tells you that you need to get a deep cleaning. You are like “what is that and why do I need it?” Read on to know what deep cleaning is, and when and why you need it.

What is deep cleaning?

Deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is a dental procedure that involves removing tartar and plaque from the pocket area between the gums and teeth, from the surface of the teeth, and even from the surface of the roots of the teeth. Apart from dental loupes, the dentists need to use either manual scaling tools or electric/ultrasonic instruments to carry out scaling and root planing.

The process usually requires around 20 minutes per quadrant of the mouth and it typically takes at least two visits for the dentist to completely treat all the afflicted areas. You will also be required to do a follow-up-visit to confirm that your gums and teeth are getting healthier and there is no pocket depth.

How is deep cleaning different from regular cleaning?

The main difference between regular cleaning and deep cleaning is the area of focus. In regular cleaning, your dentist will only focus on cleaning the areas at and above the gum line to disturb the colonies of bacteria and to polish your teeth. While, in deep cleaning, your dentist will get rid of the colonies of bacteria that thrive in your mouth and thoroughly clean not only the teeth and the gum line but also the surface of the roots of the teeth and the pocket area between the gums and teeth.

When is deep cleaning needed?

Apart from your dental practitioner’s recommendation, there are a few signs that tell you when deep cleaning is needed. These include but not limited to:

  • Pain especially when eating or chewing food – Tooth Pain: DON’T Just Ignore It.
  • Sensitivity
  • Bleeding or tender gums
  • Bad breath that won’t quickly go away even after brushing and flossing
  • Swollen or red gums
  • Loose teeth

Why do you need a deep cleaning?

Deep cleaning is usually done to treat or prevent periodontitis and other gum and periodontal diseases. If you haven’t visited your dentist for a while, or haven’t had your teeth professionally checked or cleaned regularly, chances are, you will develop some gum and periodontal disease.

There are a plethora of bacteria that thrive in the mouth. When the bacteria mix with the other substances in your mouth, a sticky plaque will be formed on your teeth. Although most of the sticky plaque can be removed by regular brushing and flossing, those that can’t be removed will harden and become tartar which is the main cause of gingivitis or gum inflammation. Left unaddressed, simple gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. In order to avoid this from happening, your dentist will recommend deep cleaning.

Why it is important to get Crown after Root Canal

Restore a Fragile Tooth

A tooth is tentative to be fragile after a root canal therapy since there is a process of drilling into the roots of the tooth to gain access to the infection. Plus we also find the tooth becoming weak from the cavity or infection before the root canal procedure and it is clear that the natural crown will not remain as strong as before. Daily exposure like biting and drinking can cause damage. So we suggest a permanent dental crown that will cover this tooth taking it much stronger for everyday use and preventing fractures or chips.

To Protect a Tooth from Sensitivity

Even after your root canal procedoure, there may be some nerves that become extra sensitive to temperature and touch. This can quickly get frustrating as patients would be exposed to hyper sensivity on tooth and gums , this is another reason to we recomend to cover the tooth after surgery with a dental crown.

To Keep a Natural-Looking Color

Immediately after root canal treatment, some teeth go through changes in colour. In case a tooth looks discoloured or appears Gray-scaled, a dental crown will be able to provide a more natural appearance and whiteness to match the other teeth.

To Keep a Tooth Safe from Infection

Infection and contamination pose a greater threat and risk to the surface of the tooth after root canal therapy. As a preventive measure for recontamination, a dental crown will be placed atop the tooth to seal it thereby cutting off harmful leakage so that you need not have your tooth extracted. This process is also known as a failed root canal treatment.

Backup Security

Mostly teeth that go through a root canal therapy have had a cavity earlier. A tooth which has gone through significant decays earlier must not be sealed with a filling. Fillings provide temporary protection which is not enough for a vulnerable tooth with a history of decay. Tooth with fillings have suffered visibly extensive decay previously, was chipped or fractured preceding the root canal treatment, should most definitely be restored and protected with a dental crown.

Receiving a dental crown or another form of restoration of the tooth should not be delayed prior to the root canal therapy. The susceptibility to damage of the tooth has increased now and should not be left at such a vulnerable state.

Importance of Regular Check up and Cleaning

Many of us think that our teeth are in healthy and good shape, but a regular visit to the dentist is an essential task. Diseases and problems come mostly uninvited so, prevention is better than a cure. Avoiding earlier problems is a wise way out of dental problems. It might avoid the hassle of extraction or filling or root canal therapy.

A visit the dentist just twice in a year is a safe and easy way to maintain oral health.

What are things that a dentist check?

  1. Exposure of the Dentine or the significant softening of the Enamel which are the early signals of a future cavity.
  2. Impending gum disease or Periodontitis will be identified when the dentist will be checking for swelling or impalement in gums. Suitable medicines will be prescribed in accordance with the magnitude of swelling or implement of the gums.
  3. Training to detect abnormal impalement or discolouration of gums or suspicious lumps has also been imparted to the dentists. These signs cannot be ignored as these are the initial signs of Oral Cancer
  4. A biopsy will be done to detect underlying Oral Cancer (if any) and an X-Ray of the underlying jaw bone will be done to check for any other underlying issues such as calcium deficiency in tooth or bone loss.

Dental Cleaning

A thorough dental clean up is essential to cleanse the hard to access areas in the mouth. The accumulated plaque and tartar can be cleaned easily through professional dental cleaning processes. A clean mouth is a fundamental step to avoid oral problems.

For regular Dental Checkup and Dental Cleaning feel free to give us a call

Dental Maintenance is not Expensive but Neglect is

Most of the dental problems arise due to the lack of proper dental care and remain unnoticed. They suddenly undergo rapid growth without us being aware of it. A small cavity is a source to a large scale decay. A small cavity might not hurt but as it starts to spread and affect the sensitive inner layers of the teeth, the pain becomes unbearable. Self-medication is never an option here. And by this time, there is no more way other than a root canal or an extraction which is not very pocket-friendly.

The perils of Dental issues can be overcome by following few steps which would not cost them much and help maintain Oral Health.

  • Regular Brushing: Brushing your teeth twice a day with a good quality bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with high calcium concentration ensures proper cleansing of the mouth.
  • Flossing: Dental floss is very important for maintaining Oral health. It enables the cleansing of areas like between the teeth which are not easily accessible by a toothbrush. Cleansing of plaque becomes easier.
  • Using Mouthwash: Mouthwash can be used in addition to brushing and flossing. It helps get rid of bad breath.
  • Regular Dental Checkups: There are several dental issues that only a dentist can recognize. The initial stages of every issue are on a minuscule level and cannot be easily pinned down until it transgresses to a more serious level.

Regular dental checkups can help avoid this problem as any existing oral issue can be detected at the very beginning and immediate treatment can avoid serious problems because prevention is always better than cure

Why do you need a Dental night guard

What is Bruxism?

While sleep our body undergoes many involuntary actions. A big example of such involuntary action is Bruxism i.e. teeth grinding which is one of the implications of stress or other psychological distress.

These teeth grinding causes the jaw muscles to overwork which may cause muscle tenderness around the jawline and gums which may cause headaches, soreness and can also lead to infection or damage of tooth nerve. Rapid tooth loss, gum recession, and TMJ disorders also count among many other issues that could be caused by bruxism.

How to prevent Bruxism?

Out of all the other ways to prevent Bruxism, the simplest and most effective solution is using Night Guard (mouth guard).

Night mouth guards are oral devices that people usually wear at night to avoid any kind of damage taken from bruxism. It also reduces strain from grinding teeth and as a result, eradicates the experience of headache and grogginess after waking up.

How to get a Night mouth guard?

Getting a night guard is not much of hassle. Contact us to get your night guard at reasonable prices.

For more information feel free to contact us.

How Dental Implants Can Give You Back Your Smile

Have you noticed that you’re not smiling as often and openly as other people around you? Do you attribute that to your lack of confidence because of dental work that you may need because of a missing tooth? If so, you may want to consider dental implants to correct what’s missing from your smile!

Use Dental Implants for a Smile Makeover that You Deserve

You may have heard about dental implants from friends, family members, and co-workers. It’s true that the treatment time can take up to several months, so you may have heard them complain about that part of the procedure. But what’s important to remember is that at the end of a dental implant procedure from KK Dental, you’ll have a natural-looking tooth that resembles those around it in place of the gap that used to be there!

You know the adage, “all good things come with time,” so if you’re looking for the most attractive replacement for a missing tooth, then a dental implant procedure is the one to choose.

Other options for tooth replacement include dental bridges and full or partial dentures, which definitely have their use in modern dentistry. But the standard of excellence for those seeking a durable tooth replacement option will always be a dental implant procedure.

Long-Term Benefits Include an Advantage to Your Budget

A dental implant procedure may be a little more costly than a dental bridge for a tooth replacement, but when you factor in the long-term durability of a dental implant, the cost savings swings in favor of the implant – which can last a lifetime versus the limited lifespan of a dental bridge.

One way to look at the difference between the two options is a “one and done” approach versus a “waiting for the inevitable” approach. If you’re the type of person who likes to put that past behind them once and for all, then a dental implant is probably the more desirable tooth replacement option.

Get the Information You Need to Make the Decision That’s Best for You

When you visit a multi-specialty dentist like KK Dental, you’ll be provided with a treatment plan and cost analysis for every smile makeover option that you’re considering. If you’re ready to get started on your dream smile, make an appointment today using the easy-to-use link provided.

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