The Difference Between Standard and Deep Dental Cleanings

Routine dental hygiene care is essential for maintaining the long-term health of your teeth and gums. Professional cleanings by your dentist remove plaque that can build up over time, providing an opportunity for your care team to catch issues before they become serious problems.

However, the methods used in each cleaning will depend upon the needs of your gums and underlying bone structure at the time of your appointment. Appointments focused on routine care will differ significantly from those focused on treating infection or inflammation located under the gum line.

What Happens During a Standard Cleaning?

A standard cleaning, also referred to as a prophylaxis cleaning, focuses on removing soft plaque, bacteria, and hardened tartar that have accumulated on the surfaces of your teeth above the gumline.

Using specialized instruments, a dental hygienist removes deposits that have formed on any of the surfaces of your teeth, including the area between your teeth. Then, they polish your enamel with a specialized paste and a rotary brush to create a smooth surface.

A fluoride treatment is often prescribed to further protect and strengthen your enamel. Additionally, X-rays may be taken to identify problem areas that are not visible to the naked eye, in places such as between your teeth or below your gum line.

Healthy individuals need a standard cleaning at least every 6 months and will benefit from these cleanings that prevent decay and periodontal disease.

When Is a Deep Dental Cleaning Recommended?

A deep dental cleaning is a non-surgical procedure that treats gum disease. If your dentist finds periodontal pockets or signs of ongoing inflammation, this approach helps remove bacteria below the gumline and gives the gums a chance to heal.

Here is what to expect from a deep dental cleaning:

Local anesthesia: Your mouth is numbed so you stay comfortable during treatment.
Scaling: The clinician removes plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces above and below the gumline, including inside pockets where bacteria thrive.
Root planing: The root surfaces are smoothed so bacteria are less likely to reattach and so gum tissue can begin to reattach more predictably.
Medicine (when appropriate): Your provider may place an antimicrobial gel or prescribe antibiotics in select cases to reduce the bacterial load.
Timing: Deep cleanings often occur over two appointments within two weeks of each other. It is important to have the two cleanings within the two weeks so the bacteria from the side that hasn’t been cleaned doesn’t travel to the side that has.
Follow up: Once you have had a deep cleaning, your hygienist will recommend receiving periodontal cleanings every three, four, or six months. It is essential to keep up on these cleanings, or the health benefits achieved from the deep cleanings will be negated.

Key Differences Patients Should Know

While both standard and deep dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar, the goals and depth of care are different. Your dentist and hygienist will recommend a deep cleaning over a regular cleaning when signs of periodontal disease are present.

Regular cleanings address routine oral health maintenance. Deep cleanings address periodontal disease that attacks the bone in your jaw. Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Gum disease not only causes you to lose your teeth, but also is highly correlated to diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Deep cleanings are a more aggressive form of treatment to mitigate the effects of gum disease. Deep cleanings specifically target the bacteria that cause infection, inflammation, and damage that stems from periodontal disease.

Prevention That Pays Off

In addition to visiting your dentist regularly, there are several steps you can take to prevent gum disease from developing. This includes:

Brushing your teeth: Brush gently but thoroughly each day using a soft toothbrush or electric toothbrush. This helps to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth without applying unnecessary pressure.
Flossing: Clean in between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes. A water flosser can also be beneficial and works better for difficult-to-reach places.
Using mouthwash: Use an antibacterial mouthwash, like chlorhexidine, when recommended by your dentist. This can help to reduce plaque buildup and kill bacteria.
Cleaning your tongue: Tongue cleaning is another way to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth that leads to gum disease.
Avoiding sugar: Minimize your sugar intake. Sugar feeds the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. So, avoiding sugar not only makes your tooth enamel strong; it also keeps your gums healthy.

Technique matters when it comes to preventing gum disease. When you are brushing your teeth, make sure the bristles of your toothbrush are at an angle and that you are applying gentle pressure. Be sure to spend a little extra time on the back sides of your teeth, as this is the area most prone to plaque buildup.

Make dental hygiene a non-negotiable habit to help you stay consistent. Make sure to brush, floss, and use mouthwash regularly, sticking to set amounts of time to ensure all areas receive proper attention. Practicing these daily habits will make it easier for you to maintain your oral hygiene.

Regular dental cleanings greatly reduce your chance of needing any type of periodontal treatment in the future, while also giving your dental team the opportunity to monitor the health of your gums and adjust recommendations for caring for your gums based on changes in your pocket depth and other factors.

Local Dental Care

Staying on a regular cleaning schedule is one of the simplest ways to avoid deep dental cleanings when possible. Most people only need to have a cleaning once every six months, but some need to come more frequently. Our team provides careful examinations and cleanings that match your needs at each stage and will advise you if we feel like you need to come in more frequently. We are happy to discuss X-rays, prevention choices, comfort options, and any questions you have about healing times or insurance coverage.

If you are due for a visit or you have been told that your gums show signs of disease, we can help you choose the right next step. Contact us today to schedule your next dental cleaning.

06 Nov 2025

General Dentistry