Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning: What’s the Difference and When Do You Need It?

The more often you visit your Owensboro, KY dentist, the easier each visit is. Your dental exams will include dental cleanings, which are designed to rid your teeth of things that normal brushing and flossing can’t. But if you let your appointments fall by the wayside, you’ll more than likely find that your visits are more complicated, since more time has elapsed, possibly allowing all sorts of unwelcome bacteria and disease to take hold. In that case, you’ll need a deep cleaning. So when it comes to deep cleaning vs. regular cleaning, here’s what you can expect.

Regular Cleanings

Regular cleanings, also known as prophylaxis, focus on maintaining oral health by removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth. This type of cleaning is typically performed every six months and helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and other common dental issues. Regular cleanings are effective for people who have healthy gums and teeth, with no signs of severe gum disease or infection.

Deep Cleanings

Deep cleaning, on the other hand, is a more intensive procedure aimed at treating gum disease. Also called scaling and root planing, deep cleaning removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from beneath the gumline, where regular cleanings can’t reach. It also smooths the roots of the teeth to help gums reattach and heal properly. Dentists usually recommend deep cleaning for patients showing signs of gum disease, such as bleeding, swollen gums, receding gums, or bone loss around the teeth.

Which would you rather have? We assume you’d rather get by with just the regular cleanings! Why not close the gap between your dentist appointments right now and contact your Owensboro, KY dentist for your next dental exam?