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Deep cleaning is a type of gum treatment that is designed to remove the plaque and tartar buildup from beneath your gums, which your toothbrush can’t reach. It’s usually recommended if you have gum disease because it can help treat the disease and prevent it from getting worse. 

How Is Deep Cleaning Performed?

The dentist Fort Collins will numb the area with local anesthetics before starting the treatment so that the area is pain-free during the process. During the procedure, the gums are carefully scaled to remove the buildup of tartar and toxins in the roots of the teeth. Next, the pockets between the teeth and gums are cleaned with a tool called a scaler and an ultrasonic cleaner to remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles. Sometimes a laser is used to further clean the area and remove debris from the pocket. If the roots have damage due to periodontal disease, the dentist Fort Collins CO may smooth the roots in a procedure called root planing. Finally, the teeth are polished, and a fluoride treatment is applied. The entire appointment usually takes about 60 minutes to an hour. 

How Do You Feel After Deep Cleaning?

While the procedure itself may cause some discomfort, most patients experience little to no pain afterward. You may notice some irritation in the treated area, but this should clear up on its own after a few days. In some cases, your Fort Collins dentist CO may recommend more frequent appointments to prevent the future buildup of plaque and tartar to keep your smile healthy.

Many patients benefit from deep cleaning because they are experiencing reoccurring inflammation and bleeding in their gum tissues. Although brushing your teeth every day is an important step in maintaining good oral health, it isn’t enough to completely remove bacteria and food particles trapped beneath the gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to severe tooth decay, tooth loss, and bone loss. A professional cleaning will help restore your oral health as well as prevent further damage from occurring. Talk to your dentist Fort Collins today to find out if deep periodontal cleaning is right for you.

Are Deep Cleaning Procedures Painful?

It is completely normal for patients to experience some pain or discomfort after their procedure, but the pain isn’t typically severe enough to require painkillers. In fact, most patients experience very little discomfort after treatment. This is due in part to the fact that scaling and root planing treatments can remove diseased tissue from the mouth while also smoothing the surface of the teeth. By removing harmful tissues from the gum line, the dentist Fort Collins CO can help the gums to heal properly. Furthermore, because the teeth are smoother after the procedure, food particles are less likely to become trapped between the teeth and cause decay or gum disease. As a result, patients are more likely to keep their regular preventative care appointments with the Fort Collins dentist CO, which can further reduce the risk of cavities and gingivitis.

To find out more about the dental services offered at Harbor Dental, call our Fort Collins dentist CO at (970) 377-2456 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 2726 Illinois Dr. #101, Fort Collins, CO 80525.