Deep Cleaning Teeth: Does It Hurt, What It Costs and Aftercare
7 min read Share: If your dentist has told you that you need a “deep cleaning”, it usually means tartar and bacteria have worked their way below the gumline and a normal scale and polish will not reach them. Deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, cleans the roots of the teeth under the gums so inflamed gums can heal and reattach. Most patients have it done under local anaesthetic, in one or two visits, and are back to normal eating within a day or two. This guide explains when deep cleaning is actually needed, what happens during the appointment, whether it hurts, how to look after your gums afterwards and what it costs in Dubai. It is written by the team at Smile On Dental Clinic in Al Satwa, Dubai, for patients who have been recommended a deep clean and want to know what they are agreeing to. What is deep cleaning? Deep cleaning is a non-surgical gum treatment that removes plaque and hardened tartar from the tooth roots below the gumline, then smooths the root surface so bacteria find it harder to stick. The first part is called scaling. The second part, smoothing the roots, is called root planing. A routine cleaning works on the visible tooth and just under the gum edge. A deep cleaning goes further down into the gap between the gum and the tooth, called a pocket. Healthy pockets are shallow, around 1 to 3mm. When gum disease sets in, the gum pulls away from the tooth and pockets deepen to 4mm or more, which is too deep for a toothbrush, floss or a routine clean to reach. Routine cleaning (scale and polish) Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) Who it is for Healthy gums, prevention Gum disease with pockets of 4mm or more Where it cleans Tooth surface and just under the gum edge Tooth roots deep below the gumline Anaesthetic Usually not needed Local anaesthetic is normal Visits One visit, 30 to 45 minutes One or two visits, often split by side of the mouth Follow-up Every six months Gum re-check after 6 to 8 weeks, then usually every 3 to 4 months Price at Smile On From AED 100 Gum disease treatment from AED 800 When do you actually need a deep cleaning? You need a deep cleaning when gum disease has caused pockets of 4mm or more, usually alongside bleeding, tartar below the gums or early bone loss on X-rays. It is a diagnosis, not an upsell, and it should always be based on measurements. At a proper gum assessment, the dentist uses a small measuring probe to check the depth of the pocket around each tooth, notes where the gums bleed, and takes X-rays to see the bone level. Signs that often lead to a deep cleaning recommendation include: If you want to understand the earlier warning signs in more detail, our guide to the signs of gum disease covers them step by step. What happens during a deep cleaning appointment? A deep cleaning starts with numbing the area, then cleaning each tooth root below the gums with ultrasonic and hand instruments, and ends with smoothing the roots and rinsing the pockets. Most patients have half the mouth done per visit. 1. Assessment and plan. If it has not been done already, the dentist measures your pockets and takes X-rays so the treatment is planned tooth by tooth. 2. Local anaesthetic. The side being treated is numbed, just as it would be for a filling. You stay awake and can talk to the clinician throughout. 3. Scaling below the gums. An ultrasonic scaler breaks up tartar on the roots while water flushes the debris away. Fine hand instruments then clean the areas the scaler cannot reach. 4. Root planing. The root surfaces are smoothed so that the gum has a clean surface to heal against and bacteria have fewer places to settle. 5. Rinse and check. The pockets are rinsed, and in some cases an antibacterial gel is placed into deeper pockets. Each half of the mouth typically takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on how many teeth are affected and how much tartar there is. Does deep cleaning hurt? Deep cleaning itself should not hurt, because the area is numbed first. You will feel pressure, vibration and the water spray, but not sharp pain. Once the anaesthetic wears off, most people feel tenderness and some sensitivity for two to four days, which regular painkillers handle well. A few things make the experience easier: Recovery and aftercare: what to do after a deep cleaning After a deep cleaning, keep brushing gently, choose soft foods for a day or two, and avoid anything very hot, very cold or spicy while your gums settle. Most patients feel back to normal within a week. The first 24 hours. Wait until the numbness has fully worn off before eating, so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. Stick to soft, lukewarm foods such as yoghurt, eggs, soup, rice and pasta. Avoid alcohol and smoking, both of which slow gum healing. The first week. Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush, gently along the gumline, and keep flossing even if the gums bleed a little at first. If your dentist prescribed a mouth rinse, use it as directed. A sensitivity toothpaste helps with cold sensitivity, which is common because the root surfaces are now clean and exposed. What is normal. Mild soreness, slight bleeding when brushing, and sensitivity to cold for a week or two. When to call the clinic. Swelling that gets worse after the third day, a fever, pus, or pain that painkillers do not control. These are uncommon, but they need checking. What to expect over the next few weeks. As the inflammation settles, gums often tighten and may look slightly lower than before. This is the gum healing closer to the tooth, and it is a good sign. Some patients notice their breath improves within a
Signs of Gum Disease: When to See a Periodontist in Dubai
12 min read Share: Gum disease starts quietly. There is no sharp pain, no dramatic swelling, nothing that screams emergency. For most people, the first sign is blood on the toothbrush or a faint metallic taste after flossing. Easy to dismiss. Easy to ignore. And that is exactly why gum disease remains one of the most common and most underdiagnosed dental conditions in Dubai, and the most common reason patients are referred to a periodontist. Nearly half of all adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease, according to data published by the World Health Organization. In the UAE, where lifestyle factors like high coffee consumption, irregular dental visits, and summer dehydration accelerate oral bacterial growth, the numbers track even higher among working-age adults. The good news: gum disease is treatable at every stage. The earlier you catch it, the simpler and cheaper the fix. This guide walks you through what gum disease actually looks like, what causes it, how a periodontist in Dubai treats it, what it costs, and the specific point where home care is no longer enough and specialist intervention becomes necessary. What Is Gum Disease and Why Does It Matter? Gum disease, clinically known as periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It begins when dental plaque, a sticky biofilm of bacteria, accumulates along the gumline. If that plaque is not removed through daily brushing, flossing, and regular professional cleaning, it mineralises into tartar (calculus). Tartar cannot be removed at home. It irritates the gum tissue and triggers a chronic inflammatory response. There are two distinct stages. Gingivitis is the early, reversible stage where the gums become inflamed but no permanent tissue or bone damage has occurred. Periodontitis is the advanced stage where the infection extends below the gumline, destroying the connective tissue and alveolar bone that anchor teeth in place. Once bone is lost, it does not grow back on its own. This matters beyond your mouth. Peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Periodontology and The Lancet has established links between chronic periodontal disease and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and respiratory infections. The chronic low-grade inflammation caused by untreated gum disease contributes to systemic inflammatory burden throughout the body. How to Spot Gum Disease Before It Gets Serious Most patients who walk into a periodontal consultation in Dubai are surprised to learn their gum disease has been developing for months or even years. The condition is rarely painful in its early stages, which is precisely what makes it dangerous. Here is what to watch for at each stage. Gingivitis: The Warning Phase Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are the single most reliable early warning sign. Healthy gums do not bleed. If you see pink on your toothbrush or in the sink, that is active inflammation, not “aggressive brushing.” Other early indicators include gums that appear redder than their usual coral-pink colour (particularly along the margin where gum meets tooth), mild puffiness or tenderness when pressing on the gum tissue, and persistent bad breath that returns within hours of brushing. Halitosis that does not respond to mouthwash or improved brushing is frequently a sign of bacterial accumulation below the gumline rather than a surface-level hygiene issue. Periodontitis: The Damage Phase If gingivitis is left untreated, it progresses. The signs become more visible. Gum recession is often the first thing patients notice. Teeth appear longer because the gum tissue is pulling away from the tooth surface, exposing root structure that was previously covered. You may notice increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods in areas where recession has occurred. Periodontal pockets form as the gum detaches from the tooth. These pockets trap food, bacteria, and debris in spaces that are impossible to clean with a toothbrush. You may notice a persistent bad taste, visible pus between teeth and gums, or a dull ache around specific teeth. Tooth mobility develops as bone loss progresses. Teeth may feel slightly loose. Your bite may feel different when you chew. Teeth may shift position over weeks or months, creating new gaps or overlapping. If you recognise any of these signs in your own mouth, the condition is treatable. But the window for simple, non-surgical treatment narrows as the disease progresses. The single most important action is getting a professional periodontal assessment rather than waiting for symptoms to resolve on their own. They will not. What Causes Gum Disease? The Risk Factors That Matter in Dubai Inadequate oral hygiene is the primary driver, but it is not the only one. Several factors increase susceptibility, and many of them are particularly prevalent among Dubai’s resident population. Smoking and tobacco use. This is the single largest modifiable risk factor. Smokers are up to six times more likely to develop periodontitis than non-smokers, and tobacco use significantly impairs healing after periodontal treatment. Shisha smoking, common in the UAE, carries similar oral health risks to cigarette use. Diabetes. The relationship between diabetes and gum disease runs both ways. Elevated blood glucose levels increase vulnerability to oral infections. At the same time, active periodontal disease makes glycaemic control harder to maintain. The UAE has one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates in the world (approximately 16.3% of adults according to the International Diabetes Federation), making this a particularly relevant risk factor locally. Dehydration and reduced saliva flow. Dubai’s extreme summer heat, outdoor lifestyle, and Ramadan fasting all contribute to periods of dehydration. Saliva is one of the mouth’s primary natural defences against bacterial overgrowth. When saliva production drops, plaque accumulation accelerates and gum inflammation risk increases. Hormonal fluctuations. Pregnancy gingivitis is a well-documented condition where hormonal shifts make gum tissue more reactive to bacterial plaque. Women going through menopause also experience increased gum sensitivity. These are not cosmetic concerns. Without management, pregnancy gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. Medications. Certain drugs commonly prescribed in the UAE, including some blood pressure medications (calcium channel
