Not all mouths are alike. With that in mind, not all teeth cleanings are the same. In some people that have active gum disease (periodontitis) or haven’t had a cleaning in awhile, a special kind of deep cleaning is required.
This deep cleaning, also called “scaling and root planing,” removes debris and tartar below the gumline, which can help promote healing of the gums. During scaling and root planing, the dentist or dental hygienist will numb the affected area and use specially-designed instruments to access deep below the gums where your toothbrush (and even floss!) can’t reach.
A follow-up appointment is usually recommended to track any changes and see how the gums are healing. Sometimes an antibiotic or antimicrobial rinse will be applied in areas that aren’t responding to treatment.
