Deep Cleaning in Los Angeles
Deep cleaning in Los Angeles (also referred to as periodontal scaling and root planing or SRP) is a restorative dental procedure consisting of removal of plaque and calculus or tartar stuck above and below the gumline. Deep cleaning in Los Angeles is necessary for prevention and treatment of gum disease, e.g. gingivitis.
Treating Gingivitis in Los Angeles
Gum disease is caused by build up of bacteria and calculus or tarter. Plaque is always forming on your teeth, but if they aren’t brushed well, bacteria in plaque can cause your gums to become inflamed. When this happens, your gums will pull away from your teeth and form spaces called pockets. Plaque then gets trapped in these pockets and cannot be removed with regular brushing. If the pockets between your gums and teeth are too deep, deep cleaning may be needed.
Symptoms of gum disease can range from mild (gingivitis) to extreme and can include:
- red and swollen gums
- inflammation below or around the gumline
- gums that bleed on probing or when flossing
- bad breath, even after brushing
- pus between the teeth and gums
Deep Cleaning in Los Angeles
Deep cleaning planing involves the removal of plaque, hardened tartar (calculus), and stains from a patient’s teeth and tooth roots. This type of deep cleaning appointment takes 1-4 hours and is frequently broken into two visits. During the first appointment, we will clean the first upper and lower quadrants of one side of your mouth. Then the other two quadrants will be cleaned during the second appointment.
After administration of local anesthesia, your Los Angeles dentist will perform deep cleaning and remove plaque and calculus beneath the gums, between the gums, and on the base of teeth crowns. Deep cleaning is either done manually or with an ultrasonic tool.
During the deep cleaning procedure, a dentist cleans deep below the gums to remove plaque and tartar buildup on the roots of teeth where the bones are affected by the infection. Root planing involves the complete removal of cementum, which is the calcified film that covers a tooth’s root.
Los Angeles Deep Cleaning Aftercare
After a deep cleaning, you may have pain for a day or two and teeth sensitivity for up to a week. Your gums also may be swollen, feel tender, and bleed. The teeth themselves can become a bit more sensitive to temperature. Brushing and flossing can be delayed or done more gently to avoid aggravating any bruised or tender gum areas. Over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen may work very well to alleviate discomfort, but stronger painkillers can be prescribed should you need them.
To prevent infection, control pain or help you heal, your dentist may prescribe antibiotic or chlorhexidine mouth rinse. Your dentist may also insert medication (subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline) directly into the pocket that was cleaned.
After deep cleaning in Los Angeles, we will schedule another visit to see how your gums have healed and measure the depth of your pockets a few weeks after treatment. This is when we will examine the healing gums and ensure the periodontal pockets have decreased in size. If the pockets are deeper than 3mm, another procedure may be needed.
Properly healed gums will appear as well-adapted, firm, and normally shaped tissue. Practicing good oral hygiene is necessary to prevent recurrence of gingivitis or periodontitis.
Ultimately, the best gum disease treatment in Los Angeles is prevention and regular dental care. You can dramatically decrease your risk of developing gingivitis and gum disease simply by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet, and visiting your favorite Los Angeles dentist office twice a year for routine dental cleanings.