Deep Gum Cleanings

What Is a Deep Cleaning (SRP), and Why Is It Needed?

Deep cleanings—formally known as scaling and root planing (SRP)—are a therapeutic treatment for periodontal disease, not a routine cleaning. While a standard cleaning (prophylaxis) focuses on the visible parts of your teeth above the gumline, deep cleanings are designed to clean below the surface—under the gums, where bacteria, plaque, and hardened tartar (calculus) build up and trigger chronic inflammation.

Periodontal disease isn’t just “bad breath” or “bleeding gums.” It’s a chronic inflammatory condition that breaks down the gum tissue and bone that support your teeth. Left untreated, it can cause tooth mobility, gum recession, bone loss, and eventually tooth loss. Scaling and root planing is typically the first step in controlling this disease, allowing the gums to heal, reattach, and reduce the pocket depths around the teeth.

How Maintenance for Gum Disease Is Different

Once you've been diagnosed with periodontal disease and have completed deep cleaning therapy, your hygiene schedule shifts. You’re no longer on the standard “every 6 months” plan. Instead, you'll typically need periodontal maintenance cleanings every 3–4 months. These more frequent visits aren’t just about staying clean—they’re about disease control. Bacteria repopulate under the gums quickly, and waiting too long between visits allows that inflammation to flare back up.

It’s important to understand that periodontal maintenance is not a one-time treatment—it’s ongoing care for a chronic condition. Like managing high blood pressure or diabetes, gum disease doesn’t just disappear. It requires active maintenance, both in the office and at home.

Home Care Matters More (and Looks Different)

When you have periodontal disease, your at-home hygiene routine needs to go beyond just brushing twice a day. You’ll likely need to incorporate:

• Interdental brushes or soft picks (instead of or in addition to floss)
  
  
• Electric toothbrushes with pressure sensors
  
  
• Antimicrobial rinses, when recommended
  
  
• Customized instructions based on your specific problem areas
  
  

What works for someone without gum disease isn’t always enough for someone managing it. That’s why it’s critical to get a hygiene plan tailored to you—based on your bone levels, pocket depths, gum sensitivity, and bite. Your dentist or hygienist can walk you through how to adapt your routine so it’s effective and sustainable.

Bottom Line

If you've been told you need a deep cleaning, it means your gums are showing signs of active disease—and ignoring it isn’t an option if you want to keep your teeth long-term. The good news? With proper treatment, tailored home care, and ongoing maintenance, periodontal disease can be managed and stabilized.

Want to learn more about how gum disease works and what to expect during or after a deep cleaning? Check out our Oral Wellness Library for patient-friendly breakdowns!