Deep Cleaning

Deep pockets, bright red gums, and bad breath are all less-than-desirable features associated with gum disease. Ueno Center Dental Specialists in Campbell, California, serving San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos and surrounding areas, provides deep cleaning services with scaling and root planing to eliminate bacteria and reattach your gums without surgery. To learn more about deep cleanings and find out if you need one, book an appointment by phone or online today.

What happens during a deep cleaning?

A deep cleaning is a dental procedure that involves rigorous plaque and tartar removal from around your gum line and under the pockets between your gums and teeth. It often happens at the same time as a routine dental cleaning. In the world of dentistry, a deep cleaning is also called a scaling and root planing procedure because of the two main steps involved:

Scaling

Using a sharp tool, your provider at Ueno Center Dental Specialist scrapes the surfaces of your teeth and reaches into the pockets between your gums and teeth. This process removes the buildup of plaque and tartar. Your provider may also use an antimicrobial rinse between your teeth and gums to kill bacteria.

Root planing

After scaling your teeth, your provider removes dentin from the surfaces of the roots of your teeth and makes them smooth. This helps your gums reattach to your teeth in a healthy manner. 

Why are deep cleanings important?

Deep cleanings are an important step in preventing advanced periodontitis. While gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, causes gum irritation and pockets between your gums and teeth, deep cleanings allow your provider to treat the condition without resorting to surgery. 

If you have gum disease and it progresses, the infection can reach deep below your gums. It can spread throughout your body and lead to much more severe health complications, like heart and respiratory diseases. Furthermore, untreated gum disease can cause your adult teeth to fall out. 

Gum disease also causes persistent bad breath that can make you feel embarrassed or hesitant about being social. A deep cleaning helps you get back on track to perfect oral hygiene and helps your breath smell fresh. 

In severe cases, a deep cleaning may not be enough, and you may need more advanced therapies.

How can I maintain my oral hygiene after a deep cleaning?

After a deep cleaning procedure at Ueno Center Dental Specialists, you must diligently take good care of your oral hygiene at home. This includes:

• Brushing your teeth twice daily
• Brushing your teeth gently with mild pressure
• Flossing between your teeth once daily
• Using an anti-plaque rinse or mouthwash

Additionally, you should attend all of your regular dental cleanings and exams. These appointments are typically recommended once every six months, but your dentist might encourage you to get them more often if you have gum disease. Many patients with gum disease will get cleanings every 3 or 4 months.

To book your next deep cleaning, call Ueno Center Dental Specialists or schedule an appointment online today.

Scaling Root Planing Consent