Having good oral health is vital in keeping your teeth and gums healthy for life. Dental cleanings are one of the best ways to prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. However, not all cleanings are the same. Depending on your oral health, your dentist may recommend a regular cleaning or a deep cleaning.
What Is a Regular Cleaning?
A regular cleaning is called a prophylaxis and is a preventative measure that help to maintain the health of your teeth as well as your gums. It is generally recommended every six months. During a regular dental cleaning, the dentist in Jupiter will do the following steps
- Remove plaque and tartar from your teeth above the gumline
- Polish your teeth to remove any stains
- Floss in between your teeth
- Check your mouth for signs of cavities, gum disease, or any other problems
Regular cleanings are meant for people with healthy gums without any signs of advanced gum disease.
What Is a Deep Cleaning?
A deep cleaning, otherwise termed scaling and root planing, is different from a regular cleaning. Deep cleaning is for people with gum disease or a significant accumulation of plaque and tartar under their gums. During a deep cleaning, the dentist will
- Clean below the gumline to remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar
- Smooth the root surfaces of your teeth so the gums can heal and thus reattach
- Sometimes give you local anesthesia to help when the procedure isn’t very comfortable
Remember that deep cleaning is not done with a regular check-up. It is different because it is a treatment for gum disease and takes longer than a regular cleaning.
What Is The Difference Between Regular And Deep Dental Cleaning
Here’s a quick comparison of dental cleanings near you, between deep cleaning
| Feature | Regular Cleaning | Deep Cleaning |
| Purpose | Maintains oral health | Treats gum disease |
| Area Cleaned | Above the gumline | Above and below the gumline |
| Frequency | Every 6 months | As recommended by the dentist |
| Time Required | 30–60 minutes | 1–2 hours (may need multiple visits) |
| Anesthesia | Not needed | Often needed for comfort |
When Do You Need a Deep Cleaning Instead of a Regular One?
A deep cleaning may be needed based on what the dentist sees:
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Gum pockets that are larger than 4 millimeters
- Bone loss around the teeth is seen in x-rays
- Heavy tartar build-up below the gum tissue
- Lingering bad breath that is not improved with brushing
This deep cleaning stops or prevents gum disease from advancing further to tooth loss.
How Often Should You Get a Deep Dental Cleaning?
The frequency is determined based on your oral health.
- Healthy gums – No deep cleaning; regular cleanings can be done every 6 months.
- Mild gum disease – Your dentist may recommend one deep cleaning, but then will want you to have regular cleanings more often than every 6 months.
- Moderate to severe gum disease – You may need to have deep cleaning every 3-4 months until your gums heal.
Your Jupiter dentist near you will make decisions relative to your gum health and your oral hygiene.
Does Deep Cleaning Hurt More Than Regular Cleaning?
Generally, a regular cleaning is pain-free or mild discomfort if you have sensitive teeth. A deep cleaning may cause more discomfort because we are going deeper below the gums. To make this easier, your dentist can utilize local anesthesia so you can feel less pain with the in-depth deep cleaning procedure. Usually, a few days after the deep cleaning, your gums may feel slightly tender but recover quickly.
Benefits of Deep Cleaning for Gum Disease Prevention
There are many benefits of deep cleaning, especially for patients who have gum disease:
- Remove bacteria from deep gum pockets
- Helps gums reattach to teeth
- Less chance gum disease worsens
- Less chance of losing teeth
- Better breath
- Better protection for your overall oral health
Taking advantage of a timely deep cleaning can help prevent more advanced treatments, such as gum surgery or extractions.
Why Dental Cleanings Are Important
Both regular cleanings and deep cleanings are equally essential for good oral health. Regular dental cleanings help you maintain healthy teeth as well as gums over time, while deep dental cleaning helps to treat gum disease and to help prevent future damage.
Skipping dental cleanings can lead to plaque buildup, cavities, and advanced gum disease, which may affect your ability to eat and smile comfortably.
Finding the Right Dentist Near You
Whether you need a regular cleaning or a deep cleaning, it is important to find a dentist near you who provides both services. They can:
- Examinef your gums and teeth
- X-rays if necessary
- Recommendations for cleaning suitable for your needs
- Strategies to maintain your oral health at home
Wrapping Up
The primary distinction between a regular dental cleaning and a deep dental cleaning is the subsequent cleaning objective. A regular cleaning is for maintaining health, while a deep cleaning will treat active gum disease.
If you are not sure what kind of cleaning is right for you, a dentist can help you with a case history and examination. The sooner you get an appropriate cleaning, the better your chances of having good teeth and gums, and a path for a healthy, long life!
Keep Your Smile Bright With Regular Dental Cleanings.
If you’re looking to keep your teeth and gums healthy, regular dental cleanings, at least once every six months, are key. At Flosswell Dental, we offer gentle and professional cleanings for patients of all ages. Our professional cleaning process may include removing plaque and, based on the dentist’s visual inspection, determining whether early signs of problems exist, or offering directives to support good oral health. Call Flosswell Dental today to book your cleaning appointment.
