“What does deep cleaning teeth involve?”

It is a scaling of the "tartar" or plaque subgingivally or below the gum line, along with a root planing to smooth the rough root surface caused by the plaque so as to make it harder to accumulate any more plaque. A routine prophylaxis or cleaning is done above the gum line

You are at the perfect age to really keep your teeth. Plaque forms every day. If plaque is not removed with correct and brushing, it will crystallize in 24 to 48 hours. Once plaque is crystallized, it can only be removed with dental instruments. Crystallized plaque, rotting tiny food particles, living bacteria, dead bacteria, toxins harden we call it tartar. Plaque, the mass of sticky bacteria keeps forming every day. The bacteria can penetrate the calculus and reach the tooth surface and destroy tooth attachment membranes and bone. The longer
This debris stays below your gum line, bone, tooth supporting structures are slowly being destroyed. Blood on your toothbrush, bad breath, bad taste will continue. There is no cure for gum disease. We control it with good home care and regular dental check-ups. To get rid of gum disease in one treatment the latest treatment is called LANAP. CORRECT FLOSSING, CORRECT BRUSHING, TONGUE CLEANING, AND REGULAR DENTAL CHECK-UPS ARE HOW WE TAKE CARE OF OUR TEETH.
I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU.

They have to under the gum and remove the tater build-up from the teeth surfaces. The gums are inflamed because of the build up and would be sensitive to touch so for patient’s comfort, local anesthetic would be used.

That is a great question. The deeper teeth cleanings sometimes involve anesthesia (local) for comfort during the procedure. The plaque and bacteria that has collected below the gums is removed with a cavitron scaler (basically like a water pik, but with vibration and antibacterial rinse solution spray). The hygienist has special tools that will remove the hardened plaque that has attached itself to the tooth. After the deeper cleaning is done (most likely in 2 appointments), we recommend more frequent cleanings similar to regular cleanings, but it is called a periodontal maintenance cleaning approximately every 3 to 4 months.
I hope I have explained this well enough for you.

Thank You,

Heather