Deep Cleaning vs Regular Cleaning: When Scaling and Root Planing Is Needed

Not every cleaning is the same. Most people only ever need a routine cleaning, but if gum disease has taken hold, a deeper procedure called scaling and root planing may be recommended.

What a regular cleaning covers

A routine hygiene visit removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surface and just under the gumline where your gums are still healthy. It's preventive — the goal is to keep things that way.

What a deep cleaning adds

Scaling and root planing goes further down into the pockets that form when gum tissue starts to pull away from the tooth. The hygienist cleans tartar off the root surface and then smooths the root so gum tissue can reattach more easily.

How we know which one you need

During your check-up we measure the depth of the space between each tooth and your gum. Healthy pockets are typically 1–3 mm. Once pockets deepen and bleed, or bone loss shows on an X-ray, a routine polish isn't enough anymore.

What the appointment feels like

Because the work reaches below the gumline into inflamed tissue, we usually numb the area first. Deep cleanings are often split across two visits — one side of the mouth at a time — so you stay comfortable.

What happens afterward

Gums are tender for a few days and may look pinker as inflammation settles. A follow-up visit at six to eight weeks checks whether pocket depths have improved, and we set a maintenance interval — often every three to four months instead of six.

If your gums bleed when you brush or you've been told you have gum disease, we're glad to take a careful look. Learn more in our dental cleaning guide or book at Morgan Heights Dental Centre.