REGULAR DENTAL CLEANING VS DEEP CLEANING: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

cosmetic dentist

Regular cleaning of your teeth is required to maintain basic oral hygiene. It will ensure teeth-whitening and long-term protection of your teeth and gums. The best cosmetic dentist new York can provide professional cleaning services that help maintain your smile’s brightness and health. By cleaning your teeth, you can reduce the risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Therefore, it is recommended that you seek professional help to clean your teeth at least twice a year. However, your dentist may recommend to get a deep clean due to your tooth conditions. Deep cleaning is also known as periodontal scaling and root planning.

WHAT IS A REGULAR DENTAL CLEANING?

In a regular dental cleaning, your dentist removes all the tartar and plaque from your teeth. A dentist usually performs a regular dental cleaning without using anaesthesia, and it is performed within twenty minutes to one hour, depending upon the case. If you are maintaining good oral health and cleaning your teeth every six months, then you do not need to get a deep cleaning ever.

WHAT IS A DEEP CLEANING?

A deep cleaning includes the removal of tartar or plaque from the root of the tooth, which is situated below the gum line. It differs from regular dental cleaning, as it focuses only on polishing and removing the tartar above the teeth. Deep cleaning is usually recommended for patients whose tartar has built up and extended to the tooth roots. This results in swollen gums, bad breath, and other initial stages of gum disease.  

WHY IS DEEP CLEANING IMPORTANT?

Deep cleaning is important because untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Proper cleaning by a dentist, sometimes along with antibiotics, can treat mild to moderate gum disease. This procedure reduces inflammation and supports healthy gum growth.

HOW IS A DEEP CLEANING DIFFERENT FROM A REGULAR DENTAL CLEANING?

There are certain instances that showcase the difference between deep cleaning and regular dental cleaning. The dentist opts for these two methods depending on the severity of the case.

  1. Different Purpose: The main goal of a regular dental cleaning is to maintain the basic oral hygiene of your teeth. The main aim of deep cleaning is treating gum-related disease. A dentist only recommends deep cleaning when gum disease is present.
  2. More Extensive Procedure: The main difference between the two methods is the complexity of the procedure. A general tooth cleaning can be done in one appointment itself without using anaesthesia. While deep cleaning is performed, anaesthesia is applied on one side of the mouth and performed. It usually takes more than one appointment. The dentist performs scaling and root planning of your tooth.

CONCLUSION

Everyone should at least maintain basic oral hygiene. It will improve your oral health and reduce the risk of contracting other diseases. A general teeth cleaning should be done twice a year to maintain basic oral health. Whereas, a deep clean should be opted for when you have gum disease.