Understanding Dental Deep Cleanings in Columbia, SC
Are your gums a little tender when you brush? Do they bleed when you floss? While a standard, twice-a-year dental cleaning is perfect for maintaining a healthy smile, it is only designed for areas above the gumline. If you are experiencing the early signs of gum disease or periodontitis, your Columbia dentist may recommend a therapeutic procedure known as a deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing.
Here is everything you need to know about this procedure right here in the Columbia and West COlumbia, SC area.
What Is a Deep Cleaning?
A deep cleaning is a specialized, two-step non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease:
Scaling: Your dental hygienist uses specialized tools (often ultrasonic scalers) to remove tartar, plaque, and bacterial toxins from deep periodontal pockets. These are the spaces between your teeth and gums that have deepened over time.
Root Planing: This step gently smooths the rough surfaces of your tooth roots. Smoother roots make it easier for your gum tissue to heal and reattach securely to the tooth, reducing the size of those vulnerable pockets.
Why Are Deep Cleanings Necessary?
When plaque hardens into tartar, it creates a rough breeding ground for bacteria. If left untreated in Columbia's local dental practices, this bacteria can lead to chronic inflammation, bleeding, bone deterioration, and even tooth loss. Furthermore, advanced gum disease is frequently linked to other systemic health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes.
A deep cleaning intervenes to:
Stop Gum Disease: It eliminates the bacterial infection causing inflammation.
Save Your Smile: It prevents bone loss and protects your natural teeth.
Freshen Breath: It removes the bacteria responsible for chronic bad breath.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Hearing the words "deep cleaning" can sound a little intimidating! However, because the procedure cleans below the gumline, we will typically numb the treatment area to keep you completely comfortable.
Depending on the severity of the gum disease, the procedure is often divided into two or four quadrants of your mouth and may require a few separate appointments. After the cleaning, you may experience minor tenderness for a day or two, but your gums will quickly start to feel healthier and look less swollen.
How to Find a Columbia, SC Dentist
Maintaining an active, beautiful smile starts with regular preventive care, but it is comforting to know that periodontal therapies are close to home if you need them.
If you suspect you are showing symptoms of gum disease, do not wait until your next routine checkup. We can easily explore your options, verify insurance coverage, and book appointments at one of our two locations in Columbia and West Columbia, SC. Call us today to schedule an appointment or book online.
Columbia: 803.736.9991
West Columbia: 803.796.9312