How many times have you heard, You need to deep clean your teeth!? Many of us hear this advice at least once every six months and follow it by brushing our teeth, using an interdental cleaner, or using some sort of chemical cleaner on them to supposedly get rid of all the nasty gunk that has accumulated in between the enamel on our teeth. But do you know what’s actually going on when you deep clean your teeth? Should you even be doing it? What are the real disadvantages of deep cleaning teeth?
You can break a tooth or chip the enamel
Most people think that a deep cleaning procedure involves sandblasting your teeth. Actually, it’s a great deal gentler than that. But if you aren’t careful, you can break a tooth or chip your enamel by using improper technique. If you want to avoid issues with your enamel and sensitive areas in your mouth, make sure to visit an experienced dentist instead of trying to deep clean your teeth at home. In fact, doing so could end up causing more harm than good.
If you miss, you can damage the gums
The only real disadvantage to deep cleaning your teeth is if you miss and end up damaging gums. While it’s easy to go overboard, since you know what parts of your mouth have already been cleaned, it can be tempting to finish in as little time as possible. If you are worried about damaging your gums, make sure you spend a decent amount of time slowly and carefully working through each section without skipping around. And it doesn’t hurt to leave a bit of plaque behind; after all, plaque will never cause harm unless it becomes tartar! The key is to not rush through things and use an electric toothbrush so that at least some plaque stays behind.
If you over-brush, it will harm the gums
A dentist appointment to deep clean your teeth can take hours! You’ll spend an entire afternoon in a chair, with several instruments in your mouth. For patients who are sensitive to pain, sedation is typically required. On top of that, if you have sensitive teeth or gums, getting them deep cleaned can cause long-term damage to your enamel and tissue. Over time, repeated exposure to acidic solutions can make you more susceptible to or even gum disease! In general, it’s always best not to expose your teeth and gums to these harsh treatments unless absolutely necessary. In most cases, regular brushing and flossing is enough for good oral health.
The process takes forever
For most people, deep cleaning teeth takes a long time to complete. In fact, most dentists recommend that you clean your teeth on a daily basis instead. You’ll be amazed at how much better your mouth feels after performing daily cleaning; it only takes about a minute per day! Plus, you’ll have fresh breath and cleaner teeth throughout each day. With daily brushing and flossing sessions, you won’t need to resort to deep cleaning your teeth as often. Plus, if you’re going to attempt to deep clean your teeth on a monthly basis (or bi-monthly or quarterly), make sure you get one of those cool plaque removers so that it isn’t such an arduous process each time! It’s not worth it: Sure, deep cleaning teeth is great for removing bacteria from your mouth and improving overall oral health. But is it really worth all of that effort? Most dentists will tell you no because there are plenty of other ways to improve oral health without having to go through all of that trouble. The best way to maintain good oral hygiene is by brushing regularly and flossing frequently—and don’t forget about regular visits with your dentist! If you want whiter teeth in addition to healthier gums, try using whitening strips or toothpaste designed for whitening purposes. There are plenty of other options out there when it comes to maintaining good dental hygiene—so why bother with something as time consuming as deep cleaning?
If you don’t do it right, you could damage your dental work
Deep cleaning your teeth—also known as scaling and root planing—is a very important part of keeping your mouth healthy. However, if you don’t go to a good dentist, or your dental hygienist doesn’t really know what they’re doing, you could actually cause more damage than good. For example, there are certain instructions you should follow when brushing after deep cleaning: You should rinse and brush for a longer period after deep cleaning; otherwise, bacteria will get trapped in between gum lines.
Brush too hard and you could weaken the enamel over time
Getting your teeth professionally cleaned by a dentist or hygienist is probably one of your more regular routines. But have you ever actually looked at what it takes to properly clean them? It’s not as simple as picking up a toothbrush and going to town. Because if you do, you might be doing more harm than good. The key to deep cleaning your teeth is to reach between them with specialized tools and even floss, brushing each tooth’s surfaces individually and doing so with proper technique and pressure.
It’s difficult to tell if it has been done properly
One dentist I talked to mentioned that if there is an oral exam, a trained professional will be able to tell if a deep cleaning has been done properly. However, when it comes to people doing deep cleanings at home, it can be difficult for them to tell if their teeth are truly clean. In fact, some dentists recommend not doing them at home. The reason behind that is that many people do not use proper techniques and/or products. For example, they may brush too hard or too long and thus damage their gums in ways which could ultimately lead to gingivitis or periodontal disease (two conditions which affect gum health). Ultimately it’s recommended you go see your dentist instead of trying a DIY method like a deep cleaning by yourself.
Over-cleaning is as bad as under-cleaning
The problem with deep cleaning your teeth is that it can actually wear away at your tooth enamel. The recommended frequency for brushing teeth is twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. Most dentists will tell you that’s sufficient to keep plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth. And while you should schedule a trip to see your dentist every six months, there’s no need to deep clean more than once or twice a year, if that. Overcleaning can be just as bad as under-cleaning.
