How a Deep Cleaning is Different from Your Routine Dental Visit

July 28, 2025

Overview

Does scaling and root planing hurt?

Before beginning treatment, your dental provider will numb the area with a local anesthetic to help you feel more comfortable. After the numbness wears off, it's normal to experience mild soreness or sensitivity for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and Tylenol and a soft-food diet can help ease discomfort.

Can't I just brush and floss more instead of getting a deep cleaning?

Improving your oral hygiene is always a great idea, but once tartar has formed below the gumline, it can't be removed with brushing or flossing alone. Scaling and root planing use specialized tools to clean deep under the gums where toothbrushes can't reach.

Will I need more than one deep cleaning?

In many cases, deep cleaning is done in two visits. Some patients may also need follow-up maintenance visits every 3–4 months if they are at higher risk of gum disease returning. Your dental team will recommend a schedule based on your unique needs.

Is a deep cleaning necessary if I'm not in pain?

Yes. Gum disease often doesn’t cause pain in its early stages, which is why many people don’t realize they have it. But under the surface, bacteria are damaging the gum tissue and the bone that supports your teeth.

If you’ve been told you need a “deep cleaning,” you might be feeling a little unsure, or even anxious. But rest assured, a deep cleaning is a common and effective treatment used to stop the progression of gum disease and preserve the health of your teeth and gums.

Let’s walk through what this prescribed treatment involves, why your dentist recommended it, and what you can expect before, during, and after treatment.

What Is a Dental Deep Cleaning?

A deep cleaning, also called “scaling and root planing,” is not the same as your regular hygiene cleaning. While a healthy mouth cleaning (prophylaxis) focuses on removing plaque and tartar from above the gumline, a deep cleaning goes below the surface to treat the root of the tooth.

Deep cleaning is typically recommended when you show signs of gum disease, such as:

Bleeding, inflammation, or swollen gums.
Gum recession (where your gums pull away from your teeth, typically associated with bone loss).
Persistent bad breath.
Deep “pockets” between your teeth and gums.
Loosening teeth.

These symptoms are your body’s warning signs that destructive and harmful bacteria and plaque have accumulated beneath your gums. If left untreated, this can lead to serious damage, including bone loss and tooth loss.

Why You May Need a Deep Cleaning

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, begins when plaque hardens into tartar (calculus) and settles under the gumline. This irritates and inflames the soft tissue, forming pockets where even more bacteria can collect.

Your dentist may prescribe a deep cleaning to help:

Remove bacteria and tartar buildup from below the gumline on the root surface.
Shrink periodontal pockets so gums can reattach to the tooth.
Prevent further damage, like gum recession or bone loss.
Improve bad breath and overall oral health.

Gingivitis is gum disease in its earliest stages. Deep cleanings are a proactive step towards treating the warning signs of gum disease. Committing to treatment, like a deep cleaning, can help you avoid more invasive treatments in the future.

What Happens During Scaling and Root Planing?

Deep cleaning is typically done in two steps. Depending on the severity of your case and your comfort during treatment, your dental professional may complete the procedure in one or two visits.

Step One: Scaling

Scaling is the first phase of a deep cleaning, where your dental professional carefully removes plaque and tartar buildup from below the gumline, especially in the periodontal pockets that have formed between your teeth and gums. Specialized instruments or ultrasonic devices may be used to clean these areas thoroughly and gently.

Step Two: Root Planing

Once the buildup is removed, the roots of your teeth are smoothed out in a phase called root planing. Smoothing the tooth below the gumline removes bacteria and gives your gums a clean surface to reattach to. Polishing the root surfaces also promotes faster healing and reduces inflammation. Additional treatments, such as medications, lasers, or local antibiotics, may be used when indicated based on the severity of your condition.

To ensure your comfort, numbing gel or local anesthesia is often used. If you’re nervous about dental procedures, talk to your provider about options to make the visit easier.

What Happens If Gum Disease Worsens?

Delaying or avoiding a deep cleaning can lead to worsening gum disease. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and it’s more common than many people realize. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 4 in 10 adults over age 30 in the U.S. have some form of periodontal disease. By age 65, that number rises to about 60%. When you delay a prescribed deep cleaning treatment, you are at risk for:

1. Gum Recession: Gum recession is the process during which gum tissue begins to pull away from the teeth, exposing the roots. Exposed roots are more sensitive and more vulnerable to decay and infection.

2. Bone Loss Around the Teeth: Bone is the foundation of support for your teeth. Chronic gum disease and inflammation can cause bone loss which will lead to loose or falling out teeth.

3. Increased Risk for Systemic Health Issues: Bacteria in your mouth can spread throughout your whole body. Studies have linked untreated gum disease with heart disease, diabetes complications, respiratory issues, and more.

The longer gum disease is left untreated, the more difficult and costly it becomes to manage. A deep cleaning allows you to stop that progression and give your smile a healthy foundation.

Take the Next Step for Your Gum Health

A deep cleaning is a powerful preventive treatment that can protect your teeth for years to come. If your dentist or hygienist has prescribed scaling and root planing, they’re helping you avoid more serious problems down the road.

Don’t wait until gum disease progresses. Prioritize your oral health by scheduling your hygiene visit today.