If your gums are bleeding or feeling swollen and tender, you might need a deep dental cleaning, aka tooth scaling and root planing. Here's what to expect.

Deep dental cleaning is a dental procedure that is different from routine teeth cleaning. A dentist explains its primary purpose and reveals who needs it the most.

Find out what you need to know about periodontal scaling and root planing, and discover the risks and benefits.

Discover how scaling and root planing treats gum disease, improves gum health, and prevents tooth loss—plus what to expect during recovery.

Our expert guide to dental cleaning explains what it is, how it works, how much it costs, and everything else you need to know about maintaining oral health.