Table of Contents

• The Difference Between Standard and Deep Cleanings
• The Pros and Cons of These Cleanings
• The Pros
• The Cons
• Should You Say No To a Deep Cleaning? 
• How to Avoid These Complex Cleanings
• A Brighter, Fresher Smile with Arden Family Dental

If your dentist has recommended a deep cleaning, you might wonder what that means and why it’s necessary. Unlike a routine cleaning that focuses on maintaining oral health, this cleaning is a more in-depth procedure designed to treat the early stages of gum disease. When your dentist recommends it, you may find yourself worrying about whether it is necessary. 

While the term might sound intimidating, it’s a common and effective way to prevent serious dental issues like tooth loss and advanced periodontal disease. In this blog, we’ll discuss the difference between standard and deep cleanings, the pros and cons of going through this process, and how to avoid them down the road. 

The Difference Between Standard and Deep Cleanings

A standard teeth cleaning focuses on helping you maintain your oral health by removing any minor plaque and tartar buildup, as well as surface stains above your gumline. During these cleanings, your dental team will perform a standard examination and look for signs of early tooth decay and periodontal disease. 

Deep cleanings, also called scaling and root planing, involve removing this buildup from deep beneath your gums. During this process, your dental team will remove bacteria and calculus buildup before smoothing the root surface to help your gums reattach to your teeth. This service is used to address active infection and inflammation in the gums. 

The Pros and Cons of These Cleanings

The Pros

• Helps You Achieve Your Best Oral Health: When you’re experiencing extreme calculus buildup, it can irritate your gum tissues, impact the health of your teeth beneath your gums, and increase your risk of tooth decay. By scheduling a deep cleaning, you address the buildup that hurts oral health, avoiding dental fillings, root canals, and more.
• Alleviate Oral Irritations: In many cases, patients with severe calculus buildup may also experience extreme oral irritations. They may experience increased sensitivity and easily irritated gums. By scheduling this cleaning, you can address the root of this irritation, helping to quell these symptoms. 
• Address Chronic Bad Breath: When you’re dealing with calculus buildup, it can contribute to chronic bad breath. If nothing else seems to help you alleviate your bad breath, scheduling a deep cleaning with a trusted dental team should help you achieve the fresh breath you’ve hoped for. 

The Cons

• More Complex Than Standard Cleanings: Removing calculus buildup isn’t quite as straightforward as a standard cleaning. It requires more complex tools to ensure it is adequately removed. These tools may seem daunting, making you nervous about scheduling this cleaning. 
• Time-Consuming Process: Unlike a standard cleaning, which can be performed in one appointment, deep cleanings are typically performed over several days or weeks. Often, this is done one half of the mouth at a time, which may be more time invested into the cleaning than you anticipated. 
• May Not Be Covered By Insurance: While your insurance will cover your essential twice-yearly dental cleanings, the same may not be true for deep cleanings. Some insurance will cover a portion of this treatment, but it is your responsibility to cover any remaining cost, which may not be feasible. 

Should You Say No To a Deep Cleaning? 

Some dental patients may be tempted to turn down a deep cleaning from their dentist. In many cases, they may not think this appointment is necessary and instead try to schedule a standard cleaning. While you might consider this appointment unnecessary, choosing to skip a deep cleaning can have a major negative impact on your future oral health. 

Severe calculus buildup can put extreme stress on your gum tissue, leading to extreme inflammation, irritation, and bleeding. Over time, untreated irritation can lead to advanced levels of periodontal disease, which can compromise your tooth structure and may lead to potential tooth loss.

While you may be tempted to say no, it is always best to follow the advice of your dentist and dental hygienists. Calculus buildup doesn’t go away on its own, and the problem may only stack on top of itself, leading to further worsening of your oral health. If your dental team has made this recommendation, it is always best to follow through with treatment. 

How to Avoid These Complex Cleanings

If you’ve undergone a deep cleaning in the past, you may want to avoid going through this process again. There are a few easy steps you can take to protect your smile, including:

• Brush twice daily and floss at least once daily to remove plaque and tartar buildup. 
• Follow a tooth-friendly diet rich in vitamins and minerals, and limit sugar consumption.
• Avoid nicotine products, like e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and nicotine pouches.
• Watch for warning signs of gum disease, like bleeding gums and inflammation. 
• Attend twice-yearly dental cleanings to catch oral health problems early. 

While it can be difficult to avoid all oral health problems, attending regular dental appointments and adjusting to a more tooth-friendly lifestyle is a great first step. With the support of an expert dental team, you can trust that you’re doing everything in your power to protect your smile. 

A Brighter, Fresher Smile with Arden Family Dental

Whether you’re preparing for a standard teeth cleaning or your dentist has recommended a deep cleaning, attending your twice-yearly appointments is essential. These cleanings protect you from tooth decay, periodontal disease, and more. If you want to schedule a teeth cleaning in the Arden, NC, area, turn to our Arden Family Dental team for support. 

For years, we’ve provided comprehensive cleanings to patients across the area, keeping them safe from avoidable oral health complications. We’re confident that, with our experience and expert training, we can do the same for you. With our team on your side, you can trust that you’ll have your brightest, healthiest smile. 

If you’d like to learn more about our deep cleanings or schedule an appointment with our team, contact us today.