Regular Cleaning vs Deep Cleaning
A regular professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the visible tooth surfaces and just at the gumline. It is preventive. Deep cleaning goes further: it cleans down the root surfaces inside the gum pockets and treats existing gum disease.
- Regular cleaning: above the gumline, for healthy gums or mild gingivitis
- Deep cleaning: below the gumline, for periodontitis with gum pockets usually 4 mm or deeper
Signs You May Need a Deep Cleaning
Only an examination can confirm it, but these signs suggest gum disease has reached below the gumline.
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste
- Gums that look swollen, red or have pulled back
- Teeth that feel loose or have started to shift
- Pocket depths of 4 mm or more measured at your check-up
What Happens During the Procedure
The area being treated is numbed with local anaesthetic, so the procedure is comfortable. The mouth is often treated in sections over one or more visits.
- Scaling: ultrasonic and hand instruments remove tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces inside each pocket
- Root planing: the roots are smoothed so bacteria find it harder to reattach and the gum can heal against the tooth
- Rinsing the pockets, and in selected cases, laser therapy to reduce bacteria in deeper pockets
Recovery and Aftercare
Mild tenderness and sensitivity for a few days are normal, and the gums may bleed a little at first. Keep cleaning: brush gently with a soft brush and clean between the teeth daily, because good home care is what keeps the result. As inflammation settles over the following weeks, the gums usually shrink slightly and become firmer.
The Re-evaluation Visit
About six to eight weeks later, we measure the pockets again. In most patients they become shallower and stop bleeding. Pockets that remain deep may need laser gum therapy or periodontal surgery to reach and clean them properly. After that, regular maintenance cleanings, often every three to six months, keep gum disease under control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deep cleaning hurt?
The treated area is numbed with local anaesthetic, so most patients feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. Mild tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal.
How long does a deep cleaning take?
It depends on how many areas need treatment. The mouth is often treated in sections over one or more visits.
Can deep cleaning loosen my teeth?
No. Teeth may feel more noticeable for a few days as swollen gums shrink, but deep cleaning removes the infection that loosens teeth.
Will my gum disease come back?
Gum disease can return without good daily cleaning and regular maintenance visits. Keeping up both is the best way to hold your gums stable.
A deep cleaning is not a more thorough version of a routine clean. It is a treatment for an infection below the gums, and it works best when it is done early. With good home care and regular maintenance afterwards, most patients keep their gum disease under control for the long term.