What should you do when your teeth need a little TLC?

Regular maintenance is the key to most things in life. This is true for keeping a vehicle running smoothly for years to come, keeping up with your fitness, and even maintaining good oral hygiene. In a perfect world, you want to visit the dentist for a regular cleaning at least every six months to make sure there’s nothing suspicious going on beneath the surface.

But sometimes, life happens. Perhaps it’s been extra busy at work and the dentist was simply the last thing on your mind. Maybe lifestyle choices from your past have slowly caught up to you. Or possibly, genetics haven’t been kind to you with that plaque buildup. 

But sometimes, the plaque can be sneaky no matter what you do. In cases like this, the tartar has a chance to get below the surface of the gums, eating away at the enamel where it can’t be removed.

This often happens in a way that a generic dental cleaning can’t take care of. Just like when a vehicle needs extra help to help it last until 100,000 miles, our teeth sometimes need that extra TLC. 

Thankfully, there are ways to help this problem before it gets much worse. We here at Compass Dental Group offer deep teeth cleanings to get that hard-to-reach plaque out of there and keep your teeth healthy.

What is deep teeth cleaning?

You can think of a deep teeth cleaning as a reset button for your oral health. Sometimes life gets in the way, and other times, genetics aren’t kind. Regardless of the reason for the plaque and tartar buildup, it’s important to take care of it before the tooth is eroded beyond repair.

Deep cleaning your teeth is often done during two separate appointments. During these appointments, the dentist will remove the tartar that developed between the gums and the root of the tooth. This is done through two different processes: scaling and root planing.

Teeth scaling is when the dentist scrapes any plaque off the teeth and out of any pockets that formed underneath the gumline. Often done in a separate appointment, root planing is when the dentist smooths the root of the tooth to help it reattach to the gums. Both of these treatments are done with local anesthetic, so don’t worry! We will ensure you’re not in any pain.

After the procedure, it’s not uncommon to experience some sensitivity. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen should be able to help reduce any inflammation. If your teeth are especially sore, sticking to soft foods, such as yogurts, oatmeal, and mashed potatoes for a few days can help until your teeth get used to everything. 

Who needs a dental deep teeth cleaning?

There are multiple reasons a person might benefit from a deep teeth cleaning. Lifestyle choices, a stressful season in life, or even genetics can play a role in the buildup of plaque and tartar beneath the gumline. You may wonder what signs might signify that you might benefit from a dental deep cleaning.

If you struggle with swelling and bleeding gums, these are symptoms of gum disease. This could mean that a dental deep cleaning is the right choice for you. Another sign of that pesky, hidden plaque is that stubborn, bad breath. No matter how much you brush, it always seems to linger. This can also show as a persistent bad taste in your mouth. If you feel as though your gums are receding, or that you have more sensitivity than usual around the gumline, it’s definitely time to give Compass Dental Group a call. After all, taking care of the problem early can help stop gum disease in its tracks and save your smile. 

Benefits of Deep Teeth Cleaning

The benefits of deep teeth cleaning go beyond the surface—pun intended. By getting rid of that hidden plaque, you are preventing tooth loss and encouraging a healthy smile for the rest of your life. Keeping those gums healthy drastically reduces the risk of infection and helps get you back on track if an infection already started to form. Your breath will be significantly better, and the roots of your teeth will thank you for the reset!

Reset Button for your Oral Health

Whether it’s recurrent bad breath, an annoying taste in your mouth, or a receding gumline, there is a solution to help get your oral hygiene back on track—and it might not be as difficult as you think. Deep teeth cleanings are there to give your teeth the TLC they need, a reset button for your oral health. It’ll help prevent oral infections, tooth loss, and the progression of gum disease.

If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms of gum disease, don’t wait to go online and request an appointment. The sooner we are able to get the problem solved, the sooner your smile will be the best it has been in a long time.