Yes periodontists can clean teeth, but their role goes beyond a routine dental clean because they specialise in the health of the gums, tissues and bone that support your teeth.
If you have healthy gums and simply want to remove plaque, tartar and surface staining, a dental hygienist will usually be the person you see. However, if you have gum disease, deep pockets around your teeth or a build up of bacteria beneath the gum line, a periodontist can provide a much more specialised type of cleaning.
This is one of the reasons people are sometimes unsure about whether they should see a dentist, hygienist or periodontist. The right choice really depends on what is happening beneath the surface.
What Does A Periodontist Clean?
A periodontist can clean areas of the mouth that cannot be properly reached with an ordinary toothbrush or standard scale and polish.
When gum disease develops, bacteria and calculus can collect underneath the gums. In these cases, a periodontist may carry out a treatment known as root surface debridement, sometimes referred to as deep cleaning or non surgical periodontal therapy. The aim is to remove bacteria, plaque and calculus from the root surfaces of the teeth and beneath the gum line.
This is very different from simply polishing the teeth to remove surface stains. The cleaning is focused on improving the health of the gums and helping to control periodontal disease. The exact treatment required will depend on how advanced the condition is and what the periodontist finds during the examination.
A periodontist can clean areas of the mouth that cannot be properly reached with an ordinary toothbrush or standard scale and polish.
Is A Periodontist The Same As A Dental Hygienist?
No, although the two can work closely together. A dental hygienist primarily focuses on preventing gum problems and maintaining good oral hygiene. This can include a scale and polish, removing plaque and tartar, and providing advice about brushing and cleaning between the teeth.
A periodontist is a dentist who has specialised in treating gum disease and problems affecting the structures that support the teeth. We can assess the health of the gums, measure periodontal pockets and determine whether there has been any loss of supporting bone.
At The Perio Centre, these areas of care work alongside each other. Our specialist team provides periodontal treatment while our hygiene team also provides professional cleaning and ongoing maintenance.
When Would You Need A Periodontist To Clean Your Teeth?
You may need specialist periodontal cleaning if you have signs that suggest gum disease rather than simply needing a routine clean. These can include:
| What you notice | What it could indicate |
|---|---|
| Bleeding when brushing | Gum inflammation |
| Red or swollen gums | Gingivitis |
| Persistent bad breath | Bacterial build up |
| Receding gums | Possible periodontal damage |
| Loose or shifting teeth | Loss of supporting structures |
| Deep spaces around teeth | Periodontal pockets |
| Heavy tartar beneath the gums | May require specialist cleaning |
Bleeding gums are particularly easy to dismiss, but they should not simply be accepted as normal. Gum disease can develop without causing significant pain, meaning a person may not realise there is a problem until it has progressed.
What Happens During A Periodontal Clean?
Before treatment begins, a periodontist will assess your gums rather than simply starting to clean your teeth. This may involve using a periodontal probe to measure the spaces around your teeth and establish whether the gums are inflamed or whether there has been a loss of supporting tissue. X rays may also be recommended where necessary.
If periodontal disease is diagnosed, root surface debridement may be recommended. This involves carefully cleaning beneath the gum line to remove the deposits and bacteria contributing to inflammation.
For more advanced periodontal disease, cleaning alone may not be enough. Some patients may require periodontal surgery to gain access to deeper pockets or address damage to the supporting tissues.
Can A Periodontist Also Give You A Normal Teeth Clean?
Yes. A periodontal practice can provide professional hygiene care as well as specialist treatment for gum disease.
For example, The Perio Centre offers direct access dental hygiene, meaning patients can see its hygienist for professional cleaning without having to see a specialist first. Hygiene treatment includes a scale and polish, while the practice also uses the Airflow EMS machine and is GBT registered. Airflow treatment uses a combination of air, water and powder to help remove plaque and surface staining, making it particularly useful as part of professional hygiene care.
The important point is that not everyone who visits a periodontist needs a deep clean. Some people may simply need regular hygiene appointments, while others require specialist periodontal treatment.
How Often Should You Have Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned?
There is no single schedule that suits everyone. Someone with healthy gums may only need routine dental hygiene appointments based on their individual oral health. Someone who has previously experienced periodontal disease may need more frequent maintenance to keep the condition under control.
Once active periodontal treatment has finished, ongoing maintenance becomes an important part of keeping the disease stable. The Perio Centre describes this supportive phase as fundamental to controlling periodontal disease over the long term.
Your dentist, hygienist or periodontist can therefore recommend an appointment schedule based on your gums, oral hygiene and history rather than simply following a standard timetable.
Your dentist, hygienist or periodontist can recommend an appointment schedule based on your gums, oral hygiene and history.
Should You See A Periodontist Or A Dental Hygienist?
If your teeth simply feel a little rough, stained or overdue for a clean, a dental hygienist may be exactly what you need. If you have bleeding gums that continue, gum recession, loose teeth, deep pockets, persistent bad breath or have already been diagnosed with periodontal disease, it is worth having your gums properly assessed.
The difference is that a hygienist focuses heavily on prevention and maintenance, whereas a periodontist can diagnose and treat more complex conditions affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.
Can A Periodontist Help Keep Your Teeth Healthy?
Yes, periodontal treatment is not just about cleaning the teeth. It is about protecting the foundations that keep them in place.
Untreated periodontal disease can damage the bone supporting the teeth and, in advanced cases, contribute to tooth loss. Early diagnosis and appropriate professional care can help control the disease and protect your natural teeth.
At The Perio Centre in Harley Street, specialist periodontist Dr Simon Stern provides personalised care for gum disease, gum recession, bone loss and other periodontal conditions. Our practice also offers advanced hygiene and maintenance treatments for patients who need ongoing support.
Dr Simon Stern is a registered Specialist Periodontist at The Perio Centre. His qualifications include BDS MJDF RCS (Eng) MClinDent MPerio RCS (Ed). He lectures at both national and international conferences, and has published papers in several well-respected journals.
