Can Teeth Fall Out After Deep Teeth Cleaning
A deep cleaning is a non-surgical dental procedure performed under local anesthesia to remove tartar and bacteria buildup from below the gumline. As with most treatments, there are some risks associated with a dental deep cleaning, but the biggest risk to your teeth and overall health is not having treatment if it is recommended. A deep cleaning is used to treat gum disease and while the procedure does not hurt since you are numb, you may experience some soreness for a few days after.
Your dentist will discuss anything that may cause concern before determining if a deep cleaning is the best treatment option to bring your mouth back to a healthy state.
What is the process of a deep cleaning?
Your dentist will evaluate your gum tissue and if they advise that you have a deep cleaning, they will get you scheduled for a few appointments. A deep cleaning is most often done in two visits with a follow up after some healing time. Two visits prevents the entire mouth from being anesthetized all at once and gives the patient some time to heal before the other side is done.
At your first appointment, a local anesthetic is injected into the gums in the areas being treated. Manual and ultrasonic tools are then used to remove bacteria and tartar build up from far below the gumline. The second visit will be more of the same, but on the other side!
Once your deep cleaning is complete, they will have you come back one more time 4-6 weeks after your second appointment. At this visit, your dental care team will measure the depth of your gum pockets to ensure that they have healed closer to the tooth surface and do one final sweep like a normal cleaning, without anesthetic. Depending on the results your dentist sees from your deep cleaning, you may be referred to a periodontist for further, specialized treatment.
Can teeth fall out after a deep cleaning?
A deep cleaning works to improve the condition of your mouth and the soft tissues that hold your teeth in place. It is unlikely that you will lose a tooth after a deep cleaning though some patients do notice that their teeth feel loose after treatment. This is because the tartar that was built up has been removed, creating a gap between the teeth and the gums. Over time, the gum tissue will reattach to the teeth and feel more stable.
In the event that you do suffer tooth loss, your dentist can help restore your smile with a bone graft to replace lost bone structure and a dental implant, to replace lost teeth! Having a deep cleaning is necessary before any restorative procedures in order to give those restorations the best chance of success. If you suspect you are developing gum disease, speak with your dentist to have it treated before it worsens and causes further damage.