We have the habit of ignoring or deferring a dental problem, especially gum disease unless it turns into a dental emergency when we have no option but to run to the nearest dental clinic. We have heard about the deep cleaning of teeth but seldom go for it since we think we can ‘manage’ without it. However, deep cleaning or SRP (Scaling and Root Planing) is an important treatment procedure to treat gum disease and helps to improve the depth of the gum pocket significantly. Let us dig deep into deep cleaning and find out why it is important in ensuring dental health.
Why go for deep teeth cleaning?
To
begin with, deep cleaning is similar to regular cleaning except it goes a little
deep. Here, the dentist goes a little below the gum line to eliminate toxins in
the form of tartar, calculus, and other substances. Should these substances be left
to fester the gum disease may worsen leading to issues like bleeding gums and
deeper gum pockets. Further, the deepening gum pockets can even lead to tooth
or/and bone loss requiring dental emergency care. With deep teeth cleaning, the dentist literally cleans or
scraps the root surface, the area just below the gum line. So, how do you know
that you may need SRP or deep teeth cleaning? Let us find out.
Signs of gum disease and the need
to visit a dental clinic
More
often than not our gums or teeth show signs of an ailment quite early, which ideally
should be heeded by us in time, and visit a dental clinic for remedy. Some of these signs or alerts are as
follows:
·
Bleeding
gums
·
Bad
breath
·
Sensitive
or inflamed gums
·
Tenderness
during flossing
An
SRP or deep cleaning is recommended by your dentist if your gum pockets are
deeper than normal. The deep pockets may be a sign of a periodontal disease necessitating
urgent medical intervention. To ascertain bone loss or confirm the presence of
an abscess or cyst, the dentist may conduct an X-ray. For people suffering from
chronic periodontal disease, an SRP procedure may reduce the pocket depth by
0.5 millimetres.
Preparation for an SRP or deep
teeth cleaning procedure
In
order to maintain the delicate oral microbiome, your dentist may advise you to follow
a supportive oral healthcare routine like eating a low-carbohydrate and
low-sugar diet and having oral probiotics to reduce inflammation. To address
sensitivity or pain associated with the procedure, you may be recommended a
pain reliever or the application of CBD oil. The process of deep teeth cleaning
may take anywhere between 1 to 3 hours depending on the spread of the
infection. In the beginning, the emergency dentist shall apply local anaesthesia to the area to ensure you do not feel
any pain during scaling. The procedure is generally done using an ultrasonic
device having a vibrating tip. The rubbing motion of the vibrating tip clears
all depositions of plaque and calculus from the area, that is, from above and
below the gum line. During cleaning you may feel some sensitivity or heaviness
in the gum line for a brief period. Since the calculus or tartar acts as a
thermal barrier on the root surface, removing it may let you feel temperature
sensitivity for a few days, if not more.
Conclusion
Comments
Post a Comment