Bleeding, tender, or receding gums are signs of infection under the gumline. A deep cleaning removes the buildup below the gums, with numbing so it does not hurt, and stops the bone loss that eventually loosens teeth. Healthy gums are the foundation everything else sits on.
How gum disease works
Plaque that sits along the gumline hardens into tartar, and bacteria in it infect the gum. The gum pulls away from the tooth, forming a pocket that a toothbrush cannot clean, and the bone underneath slowly dissolves. It rarely hurts until teeth are already loose, which is why it is the number one reason adults lose teeth.
What a deep cleaning is
Scaling and root planing. After numbing, the hygienist cleans the tartar off the root surfaces below the gum and smooths them so the gum can reattach. It is usually done one side of the mouth per visit, and then you come back in a few months for a periodontal maintenance cleaning instead of a regular one.
What you do at home
The cleaning resets the mouth; keeping it clean is on you. Dr. Seyal and the hygienist will show you exactly where the pockets are and how to get a brush and floss into them. Quitting smoking makes the biggest difference of anything.
What you get
- Stops the bone loss that loosens teeth
- Bleeding and bad breath usually improve within weeks
- Numbed, so it does not hurt
- Lower risk for the heart and blood-sugar problems tied to gum infection
- Keeps the teeth you have instead of replacing them later
Questions people ask
Periodontal (Deep) Cleaning: FAQ
Why do I need a deep cleaning instead of a regular one?
Because the tartar is below the gumline, where a regular cleaning does not reach. Dr. Seyal measures the pockets around each tooth; anything deeper than about 4 mm with bleeding is the sign.
Does it hurt?
Not during, because the area is numbed. Gums can be a little sore for a day or two afterward. Over-the-counter pain relief is usually enough.
Can gum disease be cured?
Early gum disease (gingivitis) is reversible. Once bone is lost it does not grow back, but the disease can be stopped and the teeth kept for life with treatment and maintenance.
