Can Your Teeth Fall Out After Getting A Deep Cleaning? (2024)

Deep cleaning is a teeth and gum cleaning process done to improve your oral health. Teeth and gums subject to heavy plaque or tartar buildup, or those experiencing gum disease can greatly benefit from having a deep cleaning performed by your dentist.

If you have been diagnosed with gingivitis or early periodontitis, getting a deep cleaning and then practicing oral hygiene techniques recommended by your dentist can improve your gums and help you maintain a healthy smile.

Deep Cleaning Helps Treat Gum Disease

Gum disease is common, with almost half of all adults over 30 in the U.S. experiencing some form of it, according to the CDC.

With a mild case, when bacteria builds up around your gum line, you may experience inflammation and some bleeding. Left untreated, gingivitis inflammation can develop into a more severe type of gum disease, periodontitis, with bacteria turning to plaque, and untreated plaque hardening into tartar.

If you don’t eliminate tartar and plaque, gum tissue can recede, and your teeth may loosen and fall out. Deep cleaning can help to prevent these outcomes.

Preventing Severe Gum Disease

Along with regular twice-a-day brushing and flossing, and scheduling regular visits with your dental team for a checkup and cleaning, deep cleaning can address the buildup of plaque, inflammation, and deepening gum tissue pockets.

Deep Cleaning Treats Gum Disease

Early gum disease can be reversed with a deep cleaning. During a cleaning your dentist removes plaque from your teeth and also from the pockets that have developed inside your gums. To do so, your dentist may use both manual tools and use ultrasonic vibrating tools. After the cleaning is completed, you may be given antibiotics to get rid of any oral infection found present.

Your gums may be sensitive for a few days to a week, but if you are worried that your teeth may fall out after the procedure, that is not the case.

Still Concerned that Your Teeth Could Fall Out After Deep Cleaning?

The concern may come from the fact that some plaque and tartar buildup fill the pockets in your gums so completely that your teeth feel almost “cemented” in place. Once that buildup is removed, in comparison, your teeth feel loose. But that doesn’t make them likely to fall out!

In spite of that increased feeling of looseness, removing the plaque and tartar buildup helps your gums and roots to reattach to your teeth, creating better oral health for you!

In short, not only will your teeth not fall out following a deep cleaning, but they will be healthier, stronger, and your smile will look better, too.

Ready to Learn More about Deep Cleaning?

If you’re experiencing any inflammation, bleeding, or other signs of gum disease, or if you’ve been diagnosed with plaque and tatar buildup, don’t wait. Gum disease gets increasingly severe if left untreated. Reach out to us today at Smile Architects to schedule an appointment. We’re always ready to help you keep smiling.

Can Your Teeth Fall Out After Getting A Deep Cleaning? (2024)

FAQs

Can Your Teeth Fall Out After Getting A Deep Cleaning? ›

Deep cleaning is a common dental procedure that will not cause your teeth to become loose and certainly won't lead to them falling out. On the contrary, a deep cleaning is instrumental in stopping the progression of gum disease and restoring your gums to health.

Will my teeth fall out after deep cleaning? ›

With these precautionary measures, it's unlikely that any teeth would fall out unpredictably after a deep teeth cleaning, and your dentist will make sure to review your specific risks before engaging in any type of periodontal treatment.

Can a deep cleaning damage your teeth? ›

The Downsides of Deep Teeth Cleaning

For example, deep teeth cleaning can cause nerve damage, gum recession, infections if your immune system is compromised, pain, and sensitivity without guarantees of reattachment of your gums to your teeth.

Will loose teeth tighten up after deep cleaning? ›

If a tooth is loose because of gum disease, it might tighten back up with consistent and proper dental hygiene. A deep cleaning with a hygienist called Scaling & Root Planing is typically the best treatment option. If a tooth is loose because of an injury, it likely won't tighten back up.

How long does it take for gums to reattach after deep cleaning? ›

After deep cleaning, your gums start reattaching to the teeth. This process might take some time, but it gets completed eventually. Usually, the process should be complete within 4 to 6 weeks. The process of healing is facilitated by the treatment used during cleaning.

Why do my teeth feel different after a deep cleaning? ›

You May Experience Some Soreness

It's also normal to experience sensitivity to cold foods and liquids following periodontal treatment, which can last 2-6 weeks. Using an over-the-counter fluoride rinse twice a day will greatly reduce this sensitivity.

Why are dentists pushing deep cleaning? ›

The accumulation of plaque and tartar along and below the gum line, which routine dental cleanings cannot fully address. Dentists push for deep cleaning, technically known as scaling and root planing, to remove these stubborn deposits.

What are the disadvantages of deep cleaning? ›

What are the disadvantages of deep cleaning teeth?
  • can cause nerve damage.
  • doesn't guarantee the reattachment of your gums to your teeth.
  • may cause your gums to recede.
  • possible infection if you have a compromised immune system.
  • pain and sensitivity.
Dec 9, 2020

Why do my teeth hurt so bad after a deep cleaning? ›

General soreness, sensitive teeth and bleeding gums are normal after deep cleaning at the dentist's office. Some effects are due to the cleaning tools themselves contacting inflamed gums – which bleed easily. Another effect of deep cleaning is newly exposed areas of the teeth that were previously covered with tartar.

Why do I feel sick after a deep teeth cleaning? ›

Flu-like symptoms after a dental appointment can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, an allergic reaction, or anxiety or stress. If you experience flu-like symptoms, it's important to identify the cause so that you can receive the appropriate treatment.

Can salt water tighten loose teeth? ›

Your dentist may suggest you rinse with salt water regularly to clear the bacteria from your mouth. This will hopefully let the bone and tissue mend, resulting in your tooth tightening back up after a few weeks. It is still recommended to discuss this with your dentist in case you need more urgent treatment.

Can I brush my teeth after deep cleaning? ›

You can carefully brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush the same day as your treatment, even if your teeth and gums are feeling sore. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water 5 or 6 times a day (after meals and at bedtime) for the day following your deep cleaning.

Can I save my teeth with periodontal disease? ›

Yes, depending on the severity of the gum disease, teeth affected by periodontal disease may be saved. Scaling, root planing, and antibiotic therapy can help reduce inflammation and slow the progress of periodontal disease. Surgery may sometimes be required to repair and restore the lost tissue and bone.

What not to do after a deep cleaning? ›

Avoid drinking hot beverages after the treatment. Don't eat crunchy and sharp foods or foods with high sugar because they irritate the gums. Refrain from rinsing your mouth the first two days after deep cleaning.

Are your gums still receding after a deep clean? ›

When the inflamed and infected gum pockets begin to heal after deep cleaning gum recession can occur. The bacteria that has burrowed deep into the gum pockets disolves the supporting bone structure irreversibly. As the inflammation resolves the gums become healthy again and tighten against the tooth and bone structure.

Do gum pockets close after deep cleaning? ›

As a result, some deep gum pockets can be reduced after a deep cleaning. How long does it take? Typically with deeper pockets, the deep scaling and root planing procedure might be broken down into two appointments.

Will teeth become loose after tartar removal? ›

Once that buildup is removed, in comparison, your teeth feel loose. But that doesn't make them likely to fall out! In spite of that increased feeling of looseness, removing the plaque and tartar buildup helps your gums and roots to reattach to your teeth, creating better oral health for you!

How can I maintain my teeth after deep cleaning? ›

CARE OF YOUR MOUTH:

Start brushing, flossing, and continue your prescribed oral hygiene regime immediately. You may have to GO EASY at first, but make every effort to keep your mouth plaque-free. We recommend rinsing your mouth several times on the day of treatment, with warm salt water (¼ tsp salt to glass of water).

Will the gaps in my teeth close after deep cleaning? ›

It is a gross misconception that the gap is a consequence of teeth cleaning. No, it is just that, it becomes 'actually noticeable' after cleaning and usually gets filled by healthy gum tissues in a few days.

Will my teeth be whiter after a deep cleaning? ›

The short answer is: no. It's important to clarify that these deep cleanings alone do not directly whiten your teeth. Professional cleanings focus on removing plaque, tartar, and surface stains, which can definitely improve the appearance of your smile and give your teeth a cleaner and brighter appearance.

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