Periodontal disease is a chronic condition that must be both treated and controlled. After you have completed periodontal therapy and your active infection is cleared, periodontal maintenance is an important component for continued gum health.
Periodontal maintenance is a periodontal cleaning that is done by one of the registered dental hygienists within our practice. Our hygienists perform this therapeutic cleaning by removing bacterial plaque and hard deposits called calculus from your teeth above and below your gums with site-specific instruments that can reach the areas where you had an active infection. Cleaning those areas keeps bacteria from reinvading and causing further destruction of your gums and jawbone. Keeping healthy gums also helps maintain your overall health and wellness.
At your periodontal maintenance appointments, your hygienist also measures your periodontal pockets and reports any signs of bleeding or inflammation to your periodontist. Although you do not need any anesthesia for this procedure, your hygienist can always provide desensitizing if you have sensitive teeth or gums during any cleaning.
For some patients, periodontal maintenance is performed in coordination with your general dental office in an alternative schedule. For most periodontal patients, periodontal maintenance cleanings are performed every 3-4 months to ensure timely removal of harmful bacteria from your gum tissue.
As a patient, your body’s ability to control the disease can fluctuate. Systemic diseases such as diabetes, habits such as smoking, and even stress can affect your ability to fight the harmful bacteria. As we age, our body’s ability to ward off gum infections also decreases, which is why periodontal maintenance is typically recommended long-term after you have completed periodontal therapy.
Periodontal maintenance is a simple way to help prevent more serious gum issues from returning. Because every patient has variation in their ability to fight off oral bacteria and control their disease, your periodontist will recommend the perfect periodontal maintenance schedule for you.