A routine cleaning
A routine cleaning (prophylaxis) removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces above and just at the gumline. It is preventive care for gums that are healthy or have mild, reversible inflammation (gingivitis).
Scaling and root planing
When gum disease has created deeper pockets between the gums and teeth, bacteria and hardened deposits collect on the root surfaces below the gumline, where a routine cleaning cannot reach. Scaling removes those deposits; root planing smooths the root surfaces so the gums can heal and reattach more closely.
Scaling and root planing is usually done with local anesthesia, often one section of the mouth at a time. It is the first step of treatment for most patients with periodontitis.
Why a deep cleaning may be recommended
- Pocket measurements deeper than healthy levels
- Bleeding when the gums are measured
- Bone loss seen on X-rays
- Tartar below the gumline
After treatment
Some tenderness and temporary sensitivity are common for a few days. Your gums are re-measured after healing to see how they have responded. If deeper areas do not respond, further treatment may be discussed.
Long-term periodontal maintenance is what keeps results stable. Maintenance visits are more thorough than a routine cleaning and include re-measuring the gums, and many patients alternate them with visits to their general dentist.
Common questions
Does a deep cleaning hurt?
The area is numbed, so most people feel pressure rather than pain during treatment. Some tenderness for a few days afterward is common.
Will I need deep cleanings forever?
Not usually. Scaling and root planing treats active disease. Afterward, regular periodontal maintenance visits help keep the gums stable.