Deep Cleaning- What is a Deep Cleaning and Why Would You Need It?

Your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend a 'deep cleaning' procedure.  Hearing this recommendation may be confusing, and you may have questions about what a deep cleaning is, and why would you need it in the first place.  Dr. Jack E. Burroughs of Forest Lane Dental  offers an explanation.

Deep Cleaning is Prescribed for Gum Health

A deep cleaning procedure may be recommended for you if your dental exam reveals signs of gingivitis or early gum disease.  During your exam, your gum health is inspected carefully using an instrument called a periodontal probe.  The probe measures the depth of the gum tissue surrounding your teeth.  If the 'pockets' are more than 3mm, or if your gums bleed easily or show signs of inflammation, a deep cleaning procedure may be prescribed. The deep cleaning procedure is intended to help reverse the early stages of gum disease.

Regular Teeth Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning

A regular dental cleaning involves scaling the tooth surface with an instrument to remove hardened plaque and bacteria above and just below the gum line.  Tartar and calculus (hardened plaque) harbor bacteria and can cause tooth decay and gum disease.  It cannot be removed with a toothbrush, so must be removed with a special instrument called a scaler. Often an ultrasonic scaler is used to remove this hardened material.  When tartar, plaque and calculus build up below the gum line and cause pocketing around the teeth, a regular dental cleaning will not reach the tartar and bacteria living below the gum line.  A special cleaning, referred to as a deep cleaning, is required in order to reach deeper below the gum line to remove destructive material.  The root surface is cleaned and made smooth in order to allow gum tissue to reattach at a healthy level.  A deep cleaning is typically a first line treatment for reversing the damage caused by gum disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis.

Home Dental Care After Deep Cleaning

After your deep cleaning, you can help make sure the treatment provides the best dental results possible by following a healthy regimen for oral home care.  Brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day.  Talk to your dentist about whether an appliance such as a Water-Pik will help.  Floss every day.  Use an antibacterial mouth rinse, if prescribed, in order to reduce oral bacteria and prevent the need for another deep cleaning in the future.

Bleeding Gums?  Contact Dr. Burroughs at Forest Lane Dental for help that might save your teeth.

Bad Breath Help

Have you heard the saying “if someone offers you a mint, you should take it”? Bad breath is embarrassing, and it happens to the best of us.  Your garlicky lunch can stay with you all day, but what causes bad breath, clinically known as halitosis, and what can you do about it?

Bad Breath Has 3 Primary Causes

• ·         Your personal dental hygiene habits

• ·         Your diet

• ·         Your overall health

Good Dental Habits Help Prevent Bad Breath

Keeping your teeth clean and maintaining a healthy oral environment is the best way to ensure that your breath will always be fresh.  Brushing and flossing removes odor causing bacteria which thrive on food particles and debris that can be left behind.  

Don’t forget about your tongue!  Keep your tongue clean and free from bacteria by brushing it or using a tongue cleaning device.  Many dental professionals say that bacteria build up on the tongue is a significant cause of halitosis.

 It is important to keep regular appointments with your dentist in order to detect tooth decay and gum disease, which can also cause bad breath.  Plaque can build up and harden on the tooth surfaces.  Hardened plaque is called tartar, and it cannot be removed with brushing and flossing. it is important to have your teeth professionally cleaned by your dental hygienist at least every six months.  Maintaining a healthy smile and practicing good dental hygiene are the best things you can do to prevent bad breath from sneaking up on you. 

The Foods You Eat Can Cause Breath Odor

Most everyone knows that garlic and onions cause bad breath, but how does it happen?  The answer lies in digestion.  During digestion, the foods we eat are broken down to their chemical components.  The chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream, and ultimately into the tiny capillaries in your lungs.  The smelly chemicals are actually exhaled during respiration. If you eat a lot of garlic, onions or a diet high in sugars and proteins, you may find that no amount of brushing and flossing removes the odor from your breath. To prevent diet related halitosis, limit your intake of strong smelling foods and sugars.  Drink plenty of water to hydrate your body and help flush odor causing chemicals from your bloodstream.  

Bad Breath Can be a Sign of a Health Condition

Infections in the body, especially oral or respiratory infections can be a cause of halitosis.  Chronic allergies, sinus infections and chronic bronchitis often cause the problem.  Certain digestive disorders, such as acid reflux disease, can also cause bad breath.  Your dentist can help determine if the cause of your problem is dental related or systemic.   If your bad breath seems to be caused by an illness or disease, your dentist will recommend an evaluation by your physician.  Dry mouth is a known cause of bad breath, and can be caused by a medical condition or even by certain medications.  If you suffer with dry mouth, talk to your dentist about artificial saliva products.  Try chewing sugar-free gum or sugar free candies to stimulate saliva production. 

Dental Help for Bad Breath

Dr. Jack E. Burroughs of Forest Lane Dental can provide advice, treatment and hygiene instruction specifically related to combating bad breath.  Certain dental products can also be prescribed to help combat bad breath.  Schedule your next dental check-up with Dr. Burroughs for comprehensive dental health care and personal consultation to make sure you have the knowledge and the tools to eliminate this embarrassing problem.

Source:  ada