Periodontal Maintenance Procedure
A periodontal maintenance appointment is a dental cleaning procedure specifically designed to control gum disease following an initial periodontal treatment․ During a regular cleaning appointment‚ the hygienist will clean and polish the exposed surfaces of the teeth․ During a periodontal maintenance appointment‚ the hygienist focuses on the area at and below the gumline where bacteria‚ tartar‚ and plaque can build up․ Regular visits allow your dental team to monitor the health of your gums and ensure that your periodontal disease does not worsen․
During your appointment‚ your gums are checked for redness‚ puffiness‚ bleeding‚ recession‚ and changes around and between individual teeth․ Periodontal pockets, or the spaces between your teeth and gums, are measured and monitored to ensure the current treatment plan is preventing them from growing in size․
The cleaning part of the procedure is the removal of tartar and plaque from your teeth. The hygienist uses special dental tools to clean the hard-to-reach areas that your toothbrush and dental floss can’t․ Particular attention is paid to the periodontal pockets where bacteria can amass․
Depending on the health of your gums‚ the hygienist may clean below the gumline․ Your dental care team can take different measures to keep you as comfortable as possible while removing the bacteria. If you have sensitivity‚ be sure to talk to your dental team know so they can help your mouth stay healthy while keeping you free from discomfort․
After the cleaning‚ your teeth may be polished to remove surface stains or deposits and to make the teeth feel smooth․ Your hygienist may review your home-care techniques and tools‚ and explain how to clean areas requiring more attention than others․ Some people will need special brushes‚ interdental cleaners, or water flossers․
The frequency of periodontal maintenance appointments is more than routine dental hygiene, especially for patients who have experienced periodontal disease in the past. You may need treatment every three to four months, but your dentist may recommend a different time frame depending on the initial severity of gum disease and your overall oral health․
During your routine maintenance visits‚ your dental office will compare your current condition with previous visits to see if your pocket depths or inflammation have changed․ However‚ if your gums still show signs of disease‚ they may recommend additional treatment and not just regular maintenance․
Your home care between appointments is an important part of your overall treatment plan․ To help control bacteria that cause gum disease‚ brush your teeth twice daily and clean between your teeth daily․ Following your dental team’s recommendations can help you get the most from your investment in your periodontal treatments․
Periodontal maintenance is a lifelong service because there is no cure for periodontitis․ By keeping your scheduled appointments and practicing good oral health habits at home‚ you can catch any additional problems early‚ before they become serious․
If you have more questions about periodontal maintenance or how it could help you achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if periodontal maintenance is a part of the best treatment plan for you.
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