Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar below the gumline to treat gum disease, protect your gums, and support a healthy smile.

What is a deep cleaning? 

A deep cleaning or Scaling and root planing, is a dental procedure used to treat gum disease (periodontal disease) and improve oral health. They help remove plaque and tartar buildup from teeth and below the gumline that perhaps has been there for longer than usual it’s broken down into a detailed process and here are some important facts about this very important procedure. 

What is biofilm or plaque? 

Our mouths host billions of bacteria at any given time, including both beneficial and harmful species. These bacteria are constantly moving around the oral cavity and can attach to various surfaces, such as teeth, the tongue, or the roof of the mouth. Once a bacterium adheres to a surface, it attracts more harmful bacteria, creating the ideal environment for their multiplication, especially in the mouth's warm, dark, and moist conditions. As these bacteria multiply, they form a complex three-dimensional structure known as plaque or biofilm—the slimy or fuzzy substance you may feel on your teeth if it’s been a while since you last brushed. This biofilm can develop in just 12 hours, which is why brushing and flossing twice daily is crucial for its removal. If left undisturbed, the biofilm will mature becoming harmful and destructive turning into what we know as tarter. 

What is tartar?

This mature biofilm will then harden, forming a substance called tartar, or calculus in dental terms, which firmly adheres to the teeth. Calculus is the rough substance you can feel on your teeth when it has been a while between dental cleanings. Unlike plaque, calculus cannot be removed by brushing or flossing alone and requires the expertise of a dental professional, such as your dental hygienist, to eliminate it effectively, very often it can be seen on the inside of the lower teeth as it likes this area between the teeth to harden and mature. 

Why does it need to be removed? 

Plaque and tartar contain harmful bacteria that trigger your body's defence system. White blood cells and other immune cells fight these bacteria, causing your gums to become red, swollen, and bleed. This condition is called gingivitis. If not treated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe stage where the infection affects deeper gum tissues and bone, potentially leading to significant bone loss, loose teeth, and even tooth loss.

How do I know if I need a deep cleaning? 

Dental Hygienists perform an assessment of the gums at every visit using a small instrument with lines on it called a periodontal probe. This thing instrument assists in measuring the space between the tooth and the gums, essentially identifying any pockets are spaces or gaps that form between the gums and the teeth. They develop as a result of gum disease (periodontal disease), where the gums become inflamed and start to pull away from the teeth. These pockets can be shallow or deep, depending on the severity of the gum disease.

• Shallow Pockets: Typically range from 1 to 3 millimetres in depth and may be an early sign of gingivitis, which is less severe.

• Deep Pockets: Greater than 4 millimetres in depth and are indicative of more advanced periodontal disease, such as periodontitis. Deep pockets can harbour bacteria and plaque, leading to further gum damage and bone loss if not treated.

• Bleeding: Healthy gums don’t bleed, areas with bleeding are also documented and goals are set to try and reduce the inflammation with cleaning and homecare discussion. 

Periodontal Probing:

Periodontal probing is a diagnostic procedure used by dentists or dental hygienists to measure the depth of gum pockets around each tooth. This helps assess the health of the gums and the severity of periodontal disease.

• Procedure: A thin, calibrated instrument called a periodontal probe is gently inserted between the tooth and the gum to measure the depth of the pocket. The probe is usually marked in millimetre increments to determine the exact depth.

• Measurement: The depth of the pockets is measured at several points around each tooth to get a complete picture of gum health. Healthy pockets typically measure 1 to 3 millimeters. Pockets deeper than 4 millimetres are cause for concern and may indicate gum disease.

• Purpose: Periodontal probing helps in diagnosing the extent of gum disease, planning appropriate treatment, and monitoring the effectiveness of treatments over time.

By assessing the depth of gum pockets and their distribution around the teeth, our team can determine whether you need treatments such as scaling and root planing or other periodontal care.

How can you treat gingivitis and periodontitis and what is a deep cleaning? 

During your dental visits, your dental hygienist will perform a procedure known as scaling, commonly referred to as a "teeth cleaning." This involves using specialized instruments to carefully remove plaque and calculus from your teeth and beneath the gumline. However, if you've already developed periodontitis, more intensive treatment is necessary. This is where the term "deep cleaning" comes in, also known as scaling and root planing (SRP). SRP involves thoroughly removing plaque and calculus deposits from around your teeth, under your gums, and in the deep pockets around the roots of your teeth using different methods and instruments. By eliminating these deposits, SRP helps reduce the inflammation caused by bacteria, promotes the healing of your gums, and makes it harder for new bacteria to attach. This procedure is often done over multiple visits and is essential for stopping the progression of gum disease, protecting your gums and bones from further damage, and maintaining a healthy mouth.

What can I expect at a deep cleaning appointment?

At Toothlife Studios, our philosophy around treatment goes above and beyond traditional methods. We incorporate high-quality advanced treatment techniques and technology to provide gold-standard care, all backed by scientific research. Starting with a thorough assessment ensures your treatment plan is tailored specifically to your needs, recognizing that no two mouths are the same. During your SRP appointments, we focus on treating only a portion of your mouth at a time, either a quarter or half, to ensure each area is meticulously cleaned for optimal healing. We use a disclosing agent which is a colored solution that highlights plaque and calculus in different colours based on how long they've been present. This allows both you and your clinician to see which areas need more attention. Your clinician will also use an ultrasonic instrument and an Airflow instrument. The ultrasonic instrument vibrates at high frequencies while spraying water. This motion combined with the water breaks up the calculus while simultaneously flushing the plaque out from under the gums. Additionally, we may use advanced methods like laser treatment, bacterial testing, or Arestin to further enhance healing and support a healthy oral environment.