Since deep cleanings are more thorough, and go further below the gumline than regular cleanings, they can potentially cause some discomfort or pain. To ensure your comfort during your deep cleaning, your dentist will numb the treatment site before beginning.
Deep cleaning typically doesn't require numbing your mouth; the dentist will decide whether to numb your mouth based on the condition of your teeth's roots and the depth of the pockets. If you do feel any discomfort or pain, let your dentist know.
A deep cleaning usually involves the use of local anesthetic to keep you comfortable while the dental hygienist or dentist cleans underneath the gums. Your mouth will be numb to prevent the process from causing you any pain. A routine cleaning does not require any numbing.
Following dental anesthesia, the lips, gums and cheeks can remain numb for up to two hours. Avoid eating or biting your lips or cheeks until the anesthesia wears off to prevent injury to the areas.
Although deep teeth cleanings are uncomfortable, you will likely not experience severe discomfort because you receive local anesthesia or topical anesthetic to numb your gums. However, you can expect some sensitivity to the procedure with swelling and minor bleeding.
Immediately after a deep cleaning you might have some discomfort and aching. After your mouth has had some time to heal you should notice some of the following improvements: Decreased bleeding when brushing and flossing. Better smelling breath.
So, How Long Does a Deep Cleaning Take? The process for a deep teeth cleaning usually requires more than one visit. On average, you can assume that your dentist or highly skilled hygienist will be able to clean ¼ of your mouth in about 45-60 minutes or so, depending on the level of plaque and hardened calculus buildup.
After the deep cleaning procedure, when your mouth is still numb and the local anesthetic and (optional) laughing gas is wearing off, it's important that you refrain from eating. Eating while numb can increase the chances of you biting your cheeks or tongue and disrupting the healing process.
The disadvantages of deep cleaning teeth include nerve damage and potential infections if you have a compromised immune system. The cleaning might cause pain, and sensitivity in the treatment doesn't guarantee reattachment of your gums to the teeth. The cleaning might even cause further gum recession.
Although many believe sedation can only be used for surgeries, it can be used for many dental procedures, such as deep cleanings. If you need a little help relaxing during your cleaning, sedation can help.
While any gum loss experienced due to gum disease will not grow back, the majority of patients can expect their gums to reattach after undergoing a deep cleaning. This is because all of the harmful bacteria has been removed, allowing the gums to once again be healthy.
Following a deep cleaning, your teeth may be more sensitive than usual. This can last for up to several weeks. You may also experience some slight swelling or bruising. Icing the area can help with this, but please notify us if you experience any major swelling.
The American Dental Association recommends you see your dentist at least once a year for deep cleaning. If you have a history of gum disease, you should get your teeth cleaned twice a year to prevent infections or complications.
Deep teeth cleaning can be uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be painful. You dentist will give you a local anesthetic, either in the form of a gel or an injection, so you shouldn't feel any pain during the procedure.
To relieve pain after a deep cleaning, you can take pain medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil®, MOTRIN®) or acetaminophen (TYLENOL®). Try gargling a warm saltwater solution or rinsing your mouth with an antimicrobial mouthwash a few times a day to keep the gums clean and to reduce swelling/inflammation.
A deep clean reduces bad breath along with plaque and bacteria and will also prevent gum diseases like gingivitis. A dentist may schedule a deep cleaning every one to two years depending on the shape and formation of your gums. Sometimes deep cleanings are included in a regular cleaning.
A deep dental cleaning is necessary when there is a significant amount of bacteria and tartar buildup on the surfaces of your teeth. Once pockets form from gum disease, the bacteria and tartar begin to fill these pockets. If not removed, periodontal disease and eventually tooth loss can take place.
While regular cleaning focuses more on the gum line to scale and polish the teeth' outer surface, deep cleaning teeth involves removing bacteria colonies and tartar from the roots of the teeth.
Myth 3: Cleaning causes gaps between the teeth.
Scaling doesn't create new spaces or gaps among teeth. It has already been created by calculus deposits and loss of bone support. The spaces had earlier been filled by debris so were not visible.
This is called scaling or debridement. Once the plaque is removed, the next step is root planing. The periodontist uses tools to smooth out the surfaces of the roots. This takes care of any remaining bacteria, resulting in a clean, even surface that the gums can reattach to.
You can brush your teeth later in the evening after the cleaning is complete. Wait a few hours to let your teeth recover, as the stress in the area from a deep cleaning will take a bit for the area to recover.
Avoid hot foods and drinks for 4 hours after teeth cleaning. Hot food and drink can dissolve the fluoride before it has a chance to set permanently. The heat can also be uncomfortable for the patient experiencing tender gums and sensitive teeth after the cleaning.
While a deep cleaning will remove the bacteria and tartar below the gums where you are unable to reach, placing localized antibiotics in these areas enhances healing. A deep cleaning alone cannot fight off the bacteria that can work its way back down into these deeper areas as the gums are healing.
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.