Can Teeth Fall Out After Deep Teeth Cleaning?
Routine Dental Cleaning
During a routine visit to the dentist, patients typically have an examination and professional cleaning. The hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from all areas of the mouth above the gumline. The surface of the teeth is then polished. Patients with gum disease often have a significant buildup of tartar, which cannot be effectively removed with a professional cleaning. In this case, the patient often needs to receive a deep cleaning.
Deep Cleaning
If a patient has moderate to severe gum disease, a deep teeth cleaning may be suggested. During a deep cleaning, the dentist removes tartar from below the gumline. A local anesthetic is used to ensure patients do not experience pain. It is normal for the gums to be sore after a deep cleaning.
Another term used for a deep cleaning is scaling and root planing. Patients with gum disease develop pockets between the teeth and gums which easily collect tartar. It is also possible for tartar to accumulate on the tooth’s roots. Gum disease which remains untreated can cause issues such as infection, loss of bone, and tooth loss.
The goal of a deep cleaning is to effectively remove plaque and tartar from under the gumline. Gum disease causes the formation of large pockets that quickly accumulate plaque and tartar. With a deep cleaning, these spaces are eliminated.
Tooth Loss
It is incredibly rare for the teeth to fall out after patients receive a deep cleaning. Patients may feel that their teeth feel loose for a short time after treatment. This is due to the removal of tartar from the gum pockets which can temporarily make the teeth feel loose. During the healing process, the gums will securely reattach to the teeth.
A summary of the deep cleaning procedure is outlined below.
Diagnosis
Before a patient undergoes a deep cleaning, they must be diagnosed with gum disease. The dentist or endodontist measures the space between the teeth and gums with a special tool called a periodontal probe. Gaps which are larger than 3mm indicate the patient has gum disease. Additional signs of gum disease include gums that bleed easily, gum inflammation, and loose or wiggly teeth. X-rays are often ordered to determine if patients have bone loss.
First Appointment
A deep cleaning is often performed over two appointments or more. The dental professional will use a local anesthetic to numb the mouth during treatment. In many cases, the deep cleaning is performed in one quadrant per visit to avoid the entire mouth being numb at once.
The other side of the mouth is typically treated during the second visit. During this appointment, the dental professional can evaluate how the mouth is healing from the first visit. A deep cleaning appointment typically takes about an hour. In severe cases, treatment can take up to four hours to complete. In cases of severe infection, antibiotic gel may need to be placed in the periodontal pockets. Antibiotics may also be prescribed before and after treatment. The dental professional may also ask patients to use a prescription mouthwash to completely eliminate any infection. The dental professional will work with patients to determine the number of appointments required for treatment.
Follow-up Appointment
A follow-up appointment will be scheduled about two weeks after the deep cleaning procedure is complete. During this appointment, the dental professionals will measure the depths of the periodontal pockets to ensure they are shrinking and healing as expected.
Patients who have gum disease should call the office to schedule an appointment. The team can evaluate the teeth and gums to determine if you may be a good candidate for a deep cleaning.