Deep Cleanings with Local Anaesthetic in our South Dublin Clinic

Here at Smile Hub South Dublin Dental Clinic our skilled dentists and hygienists provide deep cleanings with local anaesthetic for patients who have signs of gum disease and high levels of plaque build-up. A deep cleaning with local anaesthetic may be recommended if you have gingivitis, bleeding gums, sensitivity gum recession, bad taste, bad breath, loose teeth and periodontitis (Gum Disease).

Dental Sedation is available at Smile Hub if you feel anxious/nervous about your deep cleaning treatment. Your dentist at Smile Hub is happy to explain the advantages of dental sedation along with the procedure and associated costs. Please ask any question you may have regarding dental sedation as we want you deep cleaning to be a pain-free and stress-free experience.

What is deep teeth cleaning?

A deep cleaning is a gum treatment that involves the removal of built-up plaque and tartar on the teeth and gums to prevent dental problems and to improve oral health. Plaque is a sticky film that stays on teeth after the intake or food and drinks. When plaque and saliva mix it creates bacteria which is harmful to the teeth and can cause cavities and other dental problems. Brushing and flossing your teeth can remove plaque but sometimes there can be areas left over which become an accumulation of hard deposits on the tooth above or below the gingival margin. If a patient has not had their teeth cleaned in a long time or has gum disease like gingivitis or periodontitis, they may need a deep cleaning to remove tartar above and below the level of the gums. A topical and/or local anaesthetic may be administered depending on the sensitivity of the area to be treated. The success of the treatment depends in part on your efforts to brush and floss daily, receive regular cleaning as directed, follow a healthy diet, avoid tobacco products and follow proper home care taught to you by this office.

Deep cleanings normally take place over 1-2 visits however more visits may be required depending on the extent of the tartar build up and intervals between your professional dental cleanings. Deep cleanings involve gum scaling and root planning with local anaesthetic.

The tooth scaling appointment is when the dentist or hygienist removes the plaque above and below the gumline. The root planing appointment, involves removing plaque that forms on the roots of your teeth. This helps reduce the size of the space between your teeth and gums, helping your gums reattach to the teeth. This tartar can result in gum recession, hypersensitivity, tooth mobility and tooth loss. Deep cleanings with local anaesthetic help to resolve your gingivitis or stabilise your Gum Disease. Regular 4-6 monthly cleanings are recommended to prevent re-occurrence of gingivitis and gum disease which may ultimately result in extreme sensitivity, pain, tooth mobility and tooth loss.

Benefits of a Deep Cleaning

Stops, stabilises or prevents gingivitis(inflammation of gums) or periodontitis(gum disease)
Prevents bad breath and bad taste in your mouth
Treats current infection to promote good oral health
Removes plaque under the gum which a tooth brush can’t reach
Protects the roots of the teeth
Keeps the gums healthy
Reduces the risk of tooth loss

In most cases deep cleaning is vital for promoting oral health but there are very few disadvantages that come with it. In cases where there is inflammation or gum disease present, patients can find treatment painful. This is why local anaesthetic is used to prevent discomfort. The patient will still feel pressure on the teeth/roots during the deep cleaning. Hypersensitivity of the teeth, painful teeth/gums, tender gums and sore jaws can occur after treatment for up to 3 months. In severe cases there is no guarantee that your gums will reattach to your teeth. Otherwise, deep cleanings are very important for patients with gum disease. Your dentist may recommend referral to a Periodontist(Gum Specialist) if further more specialised gum treatment and advice is required to help stabilise your gum inflammation/disease and prevent tooth/teeth mobility or loss. Regular visits with a periodontist may be recommended every 4-6 months depending on the extent of your gum inflammation or gum disease.

Pain, tenderness and sensitivity of the teeth and gums are the most common side effects to deep cleanings but they will usually go after 6-8 weeks. In some cases this discomfort and pain can last up to 3 months. If your gum disease is severe deep cleanings can cause some of your teeth to loosen more or even fall out. If your gum disease is severe deep cleanings can cause your dental hypersensitivity to worsen permanently. Kin Gingival and Sensi Kin dental products are recommended as instructed on their packets long-term following deep cleanings. Daily flossing with string floss or tepe brushes is essential with the use of a soft toothbrush for toothbrushing morning and night.

If you are a patient with a compromised immune system you may need to take antibiotics before or after this treatment to prevent any risk of infection.

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic, we recommend regular 4-6 months professional dental cleanings to maintain/stabilise the health of the gums and teeth and to prevent any dental problems that can occur if treatment is missed. Gingival inflammation can lead to gum disease which can lead to severe dental pain/sensitivity, tooth mobility and tooth loss. Some people have a higher genetic risk to developing gum disease. Smokers are also also at higher risk of developing gum disease. Studies have also shown that patients with diabetes and pregnant women are more prone to gingivitis/gum disease. Any patient with a weakened immune system is at increased risk of gingivitis/gum disease according to dental research. Stress is also a factor which has been shown through research to worsen the health of patients gums.

Supportive Periodontal Maintenance

Following periodontal treatment such as deep cleanings continuous monitoring and treatment of the gums is vital to your oral health. Maintenance and good oral hygiene is the key to great oral health. Supportive periodontal care is important for patients who are prone to gum disease. If you have residual pockets deeper than 3-4 mm, it becomes hard to clean certain areas with brushing and flossing. As plaque builds up, bacteria will accumulate in these areas and can lead to bone loss and severely receded gum tissue. Our Smile Hub Dentists recommend a maintenance schedule that works best for you. This generally involves 4-6 monthly professional dental cleanings.

A supportive maintenance visit may include the following:

Update of your medical and dental history
Soft tissue assessment.
A periodontal exam which includes the measurements of the depth of the pockets around your teeth.
Clinical examination including examination of teeth for decay and any other dental problems.
Update x rays
Assessment of your oral hygiene habits and home care procedures
Removal of bacterial plaque
Root planing under the gum if needed with local anaesthetic
Prescribed medication to reduce tooth sensitivity
Confirmation of recall frequency and scheduling of next appointment
Dental Sedation is available for nervous patients

Your intervals between these visits depends on the severity of your periodontal condition after initial treatment is completed. Your susceptibility to periodontal disease as well as your ability to manage your gums also influence the frequency of your periodontal maintenance. If you would like to know more information about deep cleanings why not book an appointment here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic on 01 5253888.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deep cleaning require anaesthesia?

A deep cleaning does need anaesthesia in most cases as the dentist needs to go under the gum and around the root to remove plaque. This can be painful without any sort of numbing which is why local anaesthesia is recommended.

Are deep cleanings worth it?

If a patient does not go for regular cleanings or has poor oral hygiene then pockets can start to get bigger in the gums and plaque will build up in these pockets. This can lead to gum disease known as periodontitis which can cause bone loss and gum recession and tooth loss in severe cases. Deep cleanings are the best treatment to prevent these negative dental problems.

What to expect after a dental deep cleaning?

Once the numbness has worn off after a deep cleaning session, sensitivity, tenderness and pain is to be expected for up to 3 months. We recommend eating soft food and avoiding really hot or cold drinks which could trigger this sensitivity following a deep cleaning. Every patient is different and some patients teeth/gums settle quicker than others following treatment.

Teeth that are already loose can seem looser for up to 3 months. If a tooth is very loose a deep cleaning can cause it to fall out. Similarly if a filling or dental restoration is loose a deep cleaning can cause the restoration to fall out.

How long does it take gums to heal after deep cleaning?

Some people may not have any sensitivity after a deep cleaning but if you do it will usually resolve within 6-8 weeks. In some severe cases where there were large tartar deposits the pain, tenderness and sensitivity can last for up to 3 months. It is common for inflammation, tenderness, sensitivity and bleeding to occur while the gums are healing. Teeth may feel looser for up to 3 months following a deep cleaning. The objective of the deep cleaning is to stabilise the disease progression and that hopefully a loose tooth/teeth will tighten slightly within the gums. There are no guarantees however that this will occur whenever gum disease is severe. Sensikin dental products and kin gingival products are recommended as instructed on their packaging long-term following your deep cleaning.

Will deep cleanings stop gum disease?

If a patient already has the start of gum disease or advanced gum disease deep cleanings are the best treatment to ight gum disease and reduce the effects caused by gum disease in the future. Regular cleanings every 4 to 6 months is vital for your oral health. There are no guarantees that deep cleanings will prevent further hypersensitivity, tenderness, tooth mobility or tooth loss. The objective of your deep cleaning is to help resolve gingivitis(gum inflammation) or stabilise your gum disease(Periodontitis). In order to maintain/stabilise the health of your gums regular ongoing 4-6 monthly professional dental cleanings are essential. Excellent oral hygiene is critically important. If a patient smokes we recommend that you attend your GP for smoking cessation advice to help maintain/stabilise the health of your gums and prolong the function of your teeth. Gum disease progression results in tooth loss and deep cleanings whilst reducing your risk of losing teeth cannot guarantee that you will avoid experiencing increased mobility of your teeth which may then require extraction/removal. Dental research states that deep cleanings with local anaesthetic is an effective way to remove tartar below the level of your gums to ensure the patients maximum comfort through using local anaesthetic. The regular removal of tartar above and below the gum as required helps reduce the risk of progressive bone loss and gum damage around your teeth which may help prolong the life-span of your teeth by keeping them in function longer. The objective of a deep cleaning with local anaesthetic is to resolve your gingivitis(gum inflammation) or stabilise your gum disease(Periodontitis). Your long-term gum health requires a commitment to 4-6 monthly professional dental cleanings and excellent at-home oral hygiene.