Inspired Dental Care

Why won't a regular cleaning help me if a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing procedure) was recommended?

If your dentist recommends scaling and root planing (SRP), it means you have symptoms of gum disease or periodontal disease. Dental deep cleaning is necessary to stop the damaging effects of this disease.
We all have tiny, open spaces between our teeth and gums, which dentists call a sulcus. Bacteria, plaque, and calculus can build up in these areas over time and become problematic if not removed through brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings. When this happens, the gums become swollen, the spaces get deeper, and bacteria make their way further and further down into the gums. A healthy sulcus is less than 3 mm deep, while greater depth suggests a problem. Your dentist will check the depth of the area using a special probe.
When bacteria create an infection in the gums, it’s called gingivitis. If it isn’t severe, regular dental cleaning and more rigorous dental hygiene can correct it. If the bacteria reach deep into the gums, an infection can damage the underlying structures, like the tooth root, attached ligaments, and the bone. This is periodontal disease, and it can cause tooth loss and other health problems if it’s not addressed.

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