A deep clean, known in dentistry as scaling and root planing, is a non-surgical treatment for gum disease that cleans plaque and hardened tartar from below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots so the gums can heal. It is a step up from a routine clean, which mostly works above the gum. When gum disease has created pockets between the tooth and gum, a deep clean reaches into those pockets to clear the infection at its source. It is the standard first treatment for established gum disease.
Key takeaways
- Scaling and root planing is a deep clean below the gumline, used to treat gum disease.
- Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the roots; root planing smooths the root so gums can reattach.
- It often takes more than one visit and may use local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable.
- Mild soreness and sensitivity for a few days to a week afterwards is normal.
- A follow-up review a few weeks later checks that the gums have responded.
How it differs from a regular clean
A routine scale and clean keeps healthy gums healthy by removing plaque and tartar mostly above the gumline. A deep clean is a treatment, not a maintenance visit. It is recommended when gum disease has progressed to periodontitis, where pockets have formed and tartar has crept below the gum onto the root surfaces. Left there, that bacteria-laden tartar keeps the gums inflamed and gradually destroys the bone that holds teeth in place. A deep clean removes it from where a normal clean cannot reach. Our guide to a standard scale and clean shows the difference.
What the procedure involves
The treatment has two parts, reflected in its name. Scaling is the removal of plaque and tartar from the tooth, including down to the bottom of the gum pocket, using hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers. Root planing then smooths the root surface, because a smooth root discourages bacteria from re-colonising and helps the gum reattach to the tooth. Because this work goes below the gum, your dentist usually numbs the area with a local anaesthetic so it is comfortable. Deep pockets and heavy build-up mean the work is often split across more than one visit, commonly treating one side or a couple of quadrants of the mouth at a time.
Does it hurt?
During the procedure you should feel little or nothing, because the area is numbed. Afterwards, it is normal for the gums to feel tender and for teeth to be sensitive to hot and cold for a few days, sometimes up to a week, as the exposed root surfaces settle. Over-the-counter pain relief and a desensitising toothpaste usually handle this well. Warm salt-water rinses can soothe the gums, and it is worth avoiding very hot, cold or spicy food for a day or two. Smokers are advised to avoid smoking for at least a day or two afterwards, because it slows healing.
Recovery and results
Healing happens gradually over the following weeks. As the inflammation settles, the gums firm up, bleeding reduces and the pockets shrink as the tissue reattaches to the cleaner, smoother roots. Your dentist will usually book a review around six to eight weeks later to re-measure the pockets and check how the gums have responded. Most people see a clear improvement. If some deep pockets remain, further treatment or a referral may be discussed. After a deep clean, many patients move onto a more frequent maintenance schedule, often every three to four months, to keep the disease under control.
| Stage | What happens | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment | Scaling and root planing, usually with local anaesthetic | One or more visits |
| Early recovery | Gum tenderness and tooth sensitivity settle | A few days to a week |
| Review | Pockets re-measured, response assessed | About 6 to 8 weeks later |
| Maintenance | More frequent cleans to hold the result | Often every 3 to 4 months |
Keeping the result
A deep clean resets the situation, but it does not make you immune to gum disease. The bacteria return if plaque is allowed to build up again, so daily home care does the heavy lifting from here. Brush twice a day, clean between your teeth every day, and keep to the maintenance visits your dentist recommends. Because gum disease is linked to conditions like diabetes, managing your general health helps too. Done well, this combination keeps the gums stable and protects the bone around your teeth for the long term.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need a deep clean and not a normal clean?
A deep clean is recommended when gum disease has created pockets and tartar has spread below the gumline onto the roots. A normal clean cannot reach that far, so it would leave the source of infection behind.
How many visits does it take?
Often one to two visits, sometimes more if there is heavy build-up or deep pockets. Your dentist commonly treats part of the mouth at a time so each area is done thoroughly and comfortably.
Is a deep clean painful?
The area is numbed, so the procedure itself is comfortable. Afterwards the gums can be tender and teeth sensitive for a few days, which usually settles with simple pain relief and a desensitising toothpaste.
Will my gums grow back after a deep clean?
A deep clean helps gums firm up and reattach, and pockets shrink, but gum tissue lost to disease does not fully regrow. The aim is to stop further loss and keep what you have healthy.
The bottom line
A deep clean, or scaling and root planing, is the standard non-surgical treatment for gum disease, reaching below the gumline to remove the tartar and bacteria that a regular clean leaves behind. It is comfortable with numbing, usually takes one or more visits, and is followed by a review to check the gums have healed. Kept up with good home care, it protects the foundations of your teeth. The team at Lumi Dental can assess your gums. See our current offers or book with a general dentist in Melrose Park.
