The Difference Between A Hygienist Clean and A ‘Deep’ Periodontal Clean

A closer look at two different types of cleaning for gum disease problems.

The consequences of gum disease are often not fully understood by the general public.

Spitting the odd bit of blood after cleaning your teeth may not worry you too much, but this is just the start of a problem that, unless treated, could even result in the loss of some of your  teeth.

Whilst prevention is still key to avoiding gum disease, the use of dental procedures are sometimes necessary to restore your gums to good health and prevent further damage.

Dental hygienist cleaning

This is the most commonly carried out type of cleaning, and whilst it can be used to reverse the early stages of gum disease, it can also be considered to be a preventative treatment. We recommend that our Wickford and Rayleigh patients have their teeth professionally cleaned by our hygienist at least once every six months.

The procedure is non invasive and no anaesthetic is necessary. Any hardened bacterial deposits will be removed with a manual implement before the rest is painlessly shattered using a sonic tool. Finally, your teeth will be given a thorough clean using a high speed brush. Most patients find this to be a comfortable and effective procedure that leaves their mouth feeling much fresher and cleaner.

Deep clean

A deep clean, or root planing as it is also called, is a different procedure altogether. This is not a preventative treatment and is only used as a last resort when the bacteria have started to affect the roots of the teeth and the surrounding bone. A local anaesthetic is necessary for this procedure and in many instances, the gums will have to be peeled back so that the roots and bone can be cleaned. The affected areas are then usually smoothed to reduce the chances of further bacterial accumulation.

Not only is this a potentially uncomfortable experience, but also one that does not necessarily guarantee success. The only way to be sure of being free from gum disease is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Fortunately, this really is not that hard to do, and with diligent cleaning and professional intervention in the form of hygienist visits on a regular basis, there is no reason why you should not have healthy gums.

Whether you suspect you may have a problem with your gums or not; if you haven’t had them checked recently, the sooner you do, the better your chances of avoiding problems.  Your first step should be to call the Cygnet Dental Practice to arrange an appointment with our hygienist. They will inspect your gums, carry our a scale and polish and also offer advice on how to keep your gums in good health.

Appointments at our Wickford dental practice can be made by calling us on 01268 733078. Please call our friendly team today to get booked in!