Last Updated on February 3, 2024
Think your teeth are completely healthy because you brush twice a day? It takes more than just great intentions to keep that winning smile. Even the brightest of white teeth still require at least a bi-annual deep clean. Otherwise, you might soon find that those shiny whites are just as susceptible to bacterial build up as the next person is.
Your mouth is one of the hardest areas on your body to keep clean. It requires a vigilant attitude and a determination to maintain the twice daily brushing routine that keeps plaque at bay. What happens, though, when even brushing, flossing, using mouthwash, and visiting your dentist isn’t enough for a whiter, brighter smile? There’s only one solution left, and that is the dental deep clean.
Table of Contents
What is a Dental Deep Clean?
When a dentist deep cleans your teeth, they go beyond the mere brushing that we do at home. A dentist numbs the area around your teeth, then goes in and scrapes the bacteria, plaque, and debris, from under the gumline. By cleaning the base of the teeth like this, your dentist prevents gum disease, gingivitis, and periodontitis. The professionals at Pure Dental Arts recommend deep cleaning your teeth every 3-4 months. This prevents tooth loss and fights back against tooth decay.
The 4 Reasons Why Even a Healthy Mouth Needs Regular Dental Deep Cleaning
Your dentist can give you far more than four reasons not to skip out on your deep clean. Here are four of our favourites.
1 – Your Toothbrush
You could clean your teeth twice a day and not notice that your toothbrush isn’t working for you. Experts suggest a small, round-headed brush with moderately soft bristles. This should stimulate the gums while not being as abrasive as a harder brush. You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months, according to the American Dental Association. You should consider the environmental impact of this and opt for a bamboo brush.
2 – Plaque Gets Under Your Teeth
Although your teeth might seem clean and bright, plaque is insidious. It works its way right down through small gaps in the gumline. When it is under the gums, it gathers in small pockets. These breed harmful bacteria, leading to gum disease. Gum disease then leads to tooth loss, and a damaged smile.Â
3 – Shrinking Bones
As humans age, they neglect their teeth. The more they neglect good dental hygiene, the worse the risk of gum disease. When you do have gum disease, the bones in the teeth and jaws start to shrink. Even if you reform your ways and attend your dentist regularly now, that damage won’t go away. If you have a gap of more than 5 millimeters between your teeth, you may need a dental deep clean twice as often to prevent the situation from worsening.
4 – Scaling and Root Planing
De-scaling the teeth prevents sensitivity around the gumline. Immediately following the procedure, you might notice sensitivity gets worse. However, a day or two afterwards and this feeling will subside. Root planning keeps your teeth healthy even in the areas you can’t see. That’s enough of a reason by itself to keep attending your dental deep clean appointments.Â