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Dental Hygiene

Dental care: deep cleaning

10/03/2007

Question:

Need to know the difference between deep cleaning and regular cleaning. What is irrigation? is it necessary? Can a rinse be sufficient instread of irrigation? Would it be enough with daily flossing and biannual regular cleaning? Gums are not bleeding or sensitive, there is no inflamation of the gums either.

Answer:

Many times a person can not tell there is inflammation from looking at their gums. If you were told you need a deep cleaning then you most likely have deep pocketing under your gum line from gum disease. Once you have a deep cleaning and if things heal properly then regular recall cleanings 2-4 times a year with proper homecare will help keep you stable in your oral health. Irrigation is a way the dental professional can flush a special rinse that helps to kill bacteria, deep into the pockets. Flossing will get in the pocket to a certain point but not all the way to the bottom of the pockets. Irrigating and deep scaling reaches the deepest points to help start the healing process and halt gum disease.

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Response by:

Wendy J Moore, RDH, EFDA, BS, MS Wendy J Moore, RDH, EFDA, BS, MS
Clinical Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene
College of Dentistry
The Ohio State University