Can Teeth Fall Out After Deep Teeth Cleaning?
One of the most common questions patients ask when they are recommended a deep cleaning – also known as scaling and root planing – is whether their teeth may fall out afterward. The short answer is: no, teeth do not fall out as a result of a deep cleaning. On the contrary, the treatment is designed to prevent tooth loss by stopping the development of periodontitis, which is the real reason why teeth can become loose or lost.
To understand why some people believe that their teeth become looser after a cleaning, it is important to know what the treatment involves. During a deep cleaning, hard deposits of tartar and bacteria that have accumulated below the gum line are removed. These bacteria cause inflammation in the gums and gradually destroy the tissues and bone that hold the teeth in place. When the gums are swollen and inflamed, it can actually give the impression that the teeth are stuck, even though in reality they have already started to loosen due to bone loss.
When the dentist removes the tartar and the inflammation subsides, the swelling in the gums decreases, and they pull closer to the tooth. This can make it feel as if the teeth have suddenly become looser, but in reality, this is simply because the swelling that previously “supported” the tooth artificially is gone. The treatment reveals a pre-existing looseness; it does not create it. Over time, as the gums heal and become healthier, the teeth will often feel more stable again.
Another cause for concern is that some patients find that their teeth appear longer after a deep cleaning. This happens because the inflammation disappears and the gums pull back slightly to their natural position. This is a sign of health, not a sign of injury. When the gums are swollen from inflammation, they cover part of the crown of the tooth; when the swelling subsides, the normal length of the tooth is revealed.
The procedure itself is performed very gently. The dentist or dental hygienist uses ultrasonic instruments and small hand instruments to clean around the roots of the teeth. The treatment is usually performed under local anesthesia so that you do not feel any pain, and the instruments only affect tartar and bacteria – not the tooth itself or the bone. Therefore, a deep dental cleaning cannot in itself cause the teeth to become loose or fall out.
If a tooth does fall out after treatment, it is usually due to advanced periodontitis, where the bone and tooth socket have already been seriously damaged before the cleaning. In such cases, the tooth may have been close to being lost regardless of the treatment. In that case, the deep dental cleaning has not caused the problem, but has merely made it visible.
After treatment, the body begins to heal. The gums become less swollen, the gum pockets become lower, and the amount of bacteria decreases significantly. For most patients, this means that the gums become firm and healthy again, and that the teeth feel more stable than before. With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, the result can be maintained for many years, and the risk of tooth loss is drastically reduced.
In Conclusion
A deep dental cleaning does not make teeth fall out – it saves them. Although the teeth may temporarily feel looser, this is a natural part of the healing process and a sign that the gums are becoming healthy again. By removing the cause of the inflammation, the treatment gives your teeth the best conditions to stay in place for life. Contact us today for an appointment for your next deep cleaning!