Key Takeaways
- A regular clean removes plaque and tartar above your gumline.
- A deep clean reaches below your gumline, where tartar can hide.
- Deep cleans are often split into two or more visits.
- Gums that bleed, look puffy, or feel tender can be a sign you need a deep clean.
- Freezing can help keep you comfortable, and you can ask for breaks at any time.
- Cost can vary, and your dental team can explain what to expect.
You brush, you floss, and you keep up with your checkups. So when you hear the words “deep clean” at your appointment, it can catch you off guard. The team at Ti Dental, inside the Chinook Centre Professional Tower, hears this question often from patients of every age.
A regular clean focuses on your teeth above the gumline, while a deep clean reaches the pockets below your gumline to help your gums heal. Knowing how the two compare can help you walk into your next visit for dental cleanings and hygiene care at Ti Dental feeling calm and informed.
What Is a Regular Dental Clean?
A regular clean is the visit most people picture. Your hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the parts of your teeth you can see, above the gumline.
After that, your teeth get a polish and a floss. You leave with that smooth, fresh feeling when you run your tongue across your teeth. The team also does a quick check of your gums along the way.
This clean is part of your routine visit with a dentist in SW Calgary, and it can help keep healthy gums on track.
What Is a Deep Dental Clean?
A deep clean goes a step further. It cleans below your gumline, where tartar can hide out of sight and out of reach of your toothbrush.
The team also smooths the surfaces of your tooth roots. This can help your gums heal and settle back around your teeth.
Because there’s more to cover, a deep clean is often split into two or more visits.
Key Differences Between Deep & Regular Cleans
Where the Team Cleans
A regular clean covers the tooth surfaces above your gums. A deep clean reaches into the small pockets below your gumline.
How Long Your Visit Takes
A regular clean usually fits into one visit. A deep clean may cover one section of your mouth at a time, so you may need a few appointments.
Who Each Clean Is For
Regular cleans suit healthy gums and routine upkeep.
Deep cleans are for gums showing early or ongoing gum disease. Your dentist in SW Calgary can tell you which one fits your mouth today.
Signs You May Need a Deep Clean
Your gums often give you clues before you ever sit in the chair. Watch for these signs:
- Your gums bleed when you brush or floss.
- Your gums look puffy or red, or feel tender.
- You notice bad breath that stays even after you brush.
If any of these persist or worsen, let the team know at your next visit.
How the Team Checks Your Gums
The team uses a few simple steps to see what’s going on below the surface:
- The team takes small measurements of the space around each tooth.
- Dental X-rays show the bone under your gums.
- The team puts together a plan that fits your individual needs.
From there, the team walks you through what they found and what your options are.
Common Questions About Dental Cleans
How Often Do You Need a Regular Clean?
Your cleaning schedule can depend on the health of your gums and teeth. Your dentist in SW Calgary can suggest how often to come in based on your individual needs.
If you’ve had a deep clean, follow-up cleans can help your gums stay on track.
How Does a Deep Clean Feel?
Freezing can help keep the area comfortable during treatment. You can ask for a break at any time, and the team can pause while you rest your jaw.
If dental visits make you nervous, our dentists work with anxious patients and can talk you through each step. Your gums may feel a little sore afterward.
How Much Does a Deep Clean Cost?
Cost can vary based on your individual needs. The team can look over your insurance plan details with you, so you have a clearer idea of what may be covered. Talk to your dental team to get a better understanding of what to expect.
Book Your Next Clean With Ti Dental
Whether you need a quick polish or some extra care below the gumline, each clean helps support healthier gums. You don’t have to figure out which one you need on your own. The team can check your gums and explain your choices in plain terms.
Ti Dental has cared for families in Southwest Calgary for over 20 years, right inside the Chinook Centre Professional Tower at CF Chinook Centre. If you’re looking for a dentist in SW Calgary near Kingsland, Fairview, Haysboro, or Windsor Park, book your next cleaning with Ti Dental.
