Regular cleaning

above the gum

Deep cleaning

below the gum, numbed

Gum surgery

when pockets stay deep

The gum check

Visit 1 · about an hour

The hygienist measures the gap between gum and tooth all round every tooth, and X-rays show the bone. This is where "regular" or "deep" is decided, and where you hear the fee per side.

One half of the mouth

Deep cleaning · day one · 1–2 hours

Numbed on one side, top and bottom. Tartar below the gum line is scaled off and the root surface smoothed so the gum can heal back against it. Sore for a day or two, like after a hard workout.

The other half

Deep cleaning · day two

A week or two later, the other side. Some offices do the whole mouth in one long visit if you prefer.

The re-check

4–6 weeks later

The gums are measured again. Most pockets have closed up. Any that stay deep are the ones a gum specialist might look at.

Closer cleanings

After · every 3–4 months

Gum disease is managed, not cured. Cleanings move from every six months to every three or four. This is the part that keeps the teeth.