Deep Cleaning vs Regular Cleaning (Dental Hygienist Explains)

Teeth Talk Girl
20 Oct 202206:45
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the differences between regular and deep dental cleanings. A regular cleaning, or prophylaxis, is a preventative measure for healthy gums, removing plaque and tartar every six months. Deep cleanings, or scaling and root planing (SRP), target unhealthy gums with pocketing and bone loss, aiming to restore health by cleaning below the gum line. The video emphasizes the importance of professional assessments and tailored dental care plans for maintaining oral health.

Takeaways
  • 🦷 Regular dental cleanings, or prophylaxis, are preventative measures for healthy mouths and occur every six months.
  • 📏 Healthy gums have a space of one to three millimeters between the teeth, measured using a periodontal probe.
  • 📊 Periodontal charting, clinical exams, and dental x-rays are used to assess gum health and eligibility for regular cleanings.
  • 😐 A four millimeter pocket in the gums may indicate a need for more than a regular cleaning, but it's not always a sign of severe problems.
  • 🎭 X-rays are crucial for detecting cavities and tartar build-up below the gum line, which might necessitate a deeper cleaning.
  • 🌟 There's a middle type of cleaning for those with gum inflammation but no bone loss, called scaling in the presence of gingival inflammation.
  • 🔍 Deep cleanings, or SRP (scaling and root planing), target unhealthy gums and aim to restore them to health by removing bacteria.
  • 🗓️ Deep cleanings are typically done in two appointments, focusing on each side of the mouth separately.
  • 💉 Local anesthesia is often recommended for deep cleanings, but it's not mandatory.
  • 🦷🔍 Dental providers may recommend localized deep cleanings if only certain areas of the mouth have high pocketing numbers.
  • 📚 More detailed information on the three types of cleanings is available in additional resources provided by the speaker.
Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of a regular dental cleaning?

    -The main purpose of a regular dental cleaning, also known as oral prophylaxis, is to prevent dental diseases by removing plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces.

  • How often are regular dental cleanings recommended?

    -Regular dental cleanings are recommended every six months for individuals with healthy mouths and gums.

  • What is the significance of periodontal charting in dental assessments?

    -Periodontal charting is significant as it involves taking measurements of the gums and recording them to assess gum health. These measurements, known as probing depths, help determine if gum health is within normal limits.

  • What is the ideal range for gum probing depths?

    -The ideal range for gum probing depths is between one and three millimeters, indicating healthy gums.

  • What happens if a patient has a few four-millimeter pockets in their gums?

    -If a patient has a few four-millimeter pockets, they may still receive a regular cleaning, especially if it's due to being overdue for a cleaning or having some localized inflammation. With professional cleaning and consistent home care, these pockets can often return to a healthy measurement.

  • Why are dental x-rays important during regular cleanings?

    -Dental x-rays are important to detect cavities between teeth and to confirm the absence of tartar below the gum line, ensuring the effectiveness of the regular cleaning.

  • What is a middle-type cleaning, and when is it performed?

    -A middle-type cleaning, also known as scaling in the presence of gingival inflammation, is performed when there is generalized gum inflammation without bone loss. It is a more involved cleaning that goes below the gum lines but not as deep as a deep cleaning.

  • What conditions indicate the need for a deep cleaning?

    -A deep cleaning, or SRP (scaling and root planing), is needed when there is significant bone loss, tartar buildup, and deep periodontal pocketing (five millimeters or more).

  • How are deep cleanings typically conducted?

    -Deep cleanings are usually done in two appointments, with one side of the mouth being numbed and cleaned during the first visit, and the other side during the second visit.

  • What is the primary goal of a deep cleaning?

    -The primary goal of a deep cleaning is to restore unhealthy gums to a healthy state by thoroughly removing bacteria and tartar from below the gum line.

  • Can deep cleanings be localized to specific areas of the mouth?

    -Yes, localized deep cleanings can be performed on specific areas of the mouth that exhibit signs of advanced gum disease, while other areas may receive a regular cleaning.

Outlines
00:00
🦷 Understanding Regular and Deep Dental Cleanings

This paragraph introduces the topic of different types of dental cleanings, focusing on the regular cleaning known as oral prophylaxis. The speaker, Whitney, a dental hygienist, explains that prophylaxis is a preventative measure to avoid disease by removing plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces. Regular cleanings are recommended every six months for those with healthy gums and are determined through assessments like periodontal charting, clinical exams, and dental x-rays. The importance of maintaining good oral hygiene and the role of x-rays in detecting cavities are also highlighted. The paragraph differentiates between healthy gum measurements (1-3 millimeters) and those that might require a more intensive cleaning due to deeper pockets (4 millimeters or more), setting the stage for a discussion on deep cleanings in the following paragraph.

05:00
🩺 Deep Cleanings: SRP and Their Purpose

The second paragraph delves into deep cleanings, also known as scaling and root planing (SRP). It clarifies that deep cleanings are not superior to regular cleanings but are necessary when there is significant gum pocketing or bone loss. Deep cleanings are typically done over two appointments, addressing one side of the mouth at a time. The paragraph emphasizes that deep cleanings aim to restore unhealthy gums to health by removing bacteria below the gum line. It also acknowledges that localized deep cleanings can be performed if only certain areas of the mouth require such treatment. The speaker encourages viewers to seek more information through linked videos for a comprehensive understanding of the differences between regular, intermediate, and deep dental cleanings.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Oral prophylaxis
Oral prophylaxis refers to the preventive dental procedure aimed at maintaining oral health by cleaning the teeth and gums to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. In the video, it is mentioned that this regular cleaning is recommended every six months for individuals with healthy gums and teeth, emphasizing its importance in maintaining dental hygiene and preventing diseases.
💡Periodontal charting
Periodontal charting is the process of measuring and recording the depth of the gum pockets around each tooth to assess gum health. It is a critical part of a dental examination that helps identify any potential periodontal diseases. In the video, it is explained that healthy gum measurements, or probing depths, should be between one and three millimeters, indicating a healthy state.
💡Gingival surface
The gingival surface refers to the area where the gums meet the teeth. It is the point at which the tooth and gum tissue interface, and it is crucial in determining the health of the gums. A regular cleaning effectively cleans the gingival surface up to a depth of one to three millimeters, which is the normal space between gums and teeth.
💡Scaling
Scaling is a dental procedure that involves the removal of plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces, especially below the gum line. It is part of a deep cleaning, known as scaling and root planing (SRP), which is necessary when there is a significant buildup of tartar and bacteria that cannot be removed by regular brushing and flossing.
💡Root planing
Root planing is a part of the deep cleaning process where the surface of the tooth root is smoothed to prevent the reattachment of tartar and bacteria. This procedure is essential in treating periodontal disease and promoting gum healing. It is performed after scaling to ensure a clean and smooth root surface.
💡Gum inflammation
Gum inflammation, also referred to as gingivitis, is the initial stage of gum disease characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums. It is often caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar. In the video, it is mentioned that a middle type of cleaning, called scaling in the presence of gingival inflammation, is performed when there is generalized gum inflammation without bone loss.
💡Perio probe
A perio probe is a specialized dental instrument used to measure the depth of gum pockets around each tooth. It is similar to a ruler with markings to accurately record the measurements in millimeters. This tool is essential for periodontal charting and helps determine the health of the gums.
💡Dental x-rays
Dental x-rays are diagnostic images that provide a detailed view of the teeth, gums, and bone structure. They are crucial in detecting cavities, tartar buildup, and bone loss that are not visible during a regular examination. In the video, it is emphasized that x-rays are important not only to find tooth decay but also to confirm the presence of tartar below the gum line.
💡Prophylaxis
Prophylaxis, often referred to as a 'prophy,' is a preventive dental cleaning procedure aimed at removing plaque and tartar to prevent dental diseases such as gum disease and tooth decay. It is a routine dental visit recommended for individuals with healthy gums and teeth to maintain their oral health.
💡Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease characterized by inflammation and bleeding of the gums. It is a reversible condition if proper dental care is followed, including regular dental cleanings and good home care practices like brushing and flossing. The video discusses the importance of maintaining healthy gums and the different types of cleanings based on the severity of gingivitis.
💡Tartar
Tartar is a hard, calcified deposit that forms on teeth due to the buildup of plaque. It can only be removed professionally by a dentist or dental hygienist as it cannot be eliminated through regular brushing and flossing at home. The presence of tartar below the gum line is a concern, as it can lead to periodontal disease if left untreated.
Highlights

Regular dental cleanings, also known as oral prophylaxis, are preventive measures taken to maintain oral health by removing plaque and tartar.

Regular cleanings are recommended every six months for individuals with healthy mouths and gums.

Gum health is assessed through periodontal charting, a clinical exam, and dental x-rays.

The space between gums and teeth should ideally be one to three millimeters for healthy gums.

A perio probe, similar to a ruler, is used to measure the gum's health through probing depths.

If a four-millimeter pocket is found, it may indicate a need for more than a regular cleaning, but it's not definitive.

X-rays are crucial in detecting cavities and tartar buildup below the gum line.

A middle type of cleaning, scaling in the presence of gingival inflammation, is for those with generalized gum inflammation but no bone loss.

Deep cleanings, or SRP (scaling and root planing), are not inherently better than regular cleanings but target deeper areas due to gum issues.

Deep cleanings are typically performed in two appointments to treat each side of the mouth separately.

Local anesthesia is often recommended for deep cleanings, but it's not mandatory.

Localized deep cleanings can be performed on specific areas of the mouth with high pocketing numbers.

The goal of a deep cleaning is to restore unhealthy gums to health by removing bacteria below the gum line.

The video provides a comprehensive comparison between regular, middle, and deep dental cleanings.

For more information, viewers are directed to the speaker's website and social media platforms.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of regular dental check-ups and home care in maintaining oral health.

Different types of cleanings are tailored to the individual's oral health needs and conditions.

Transcripts

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