Maintenance
It only takes twenty four hours for plaque that is not removed from your teeth to turn into calculus (tartar)! Daily home cleaning helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will always need special attention.
Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, our dental team will recommend that you have regular maintenance cleanings (periodontal cleanings), usually four times a year as an initial treatment strategy. At these cleaning appointments, the pocket depths will be carefully checked to ensure that they are healthy. In addition to providing a "normal cleaning" of all tooth structure above the gingiva (gums), the hygienist will also take great care to ensure that the areas of tooth structure exposed below the gingiva due to the periodontal disease are also thoroughly debrided to allow proper maintenance of the dental health both our team and you have worked so hard to achieve in your initial control therapy. After a period of proven stabilization, the frequency of the periodontal maintenance cleanings may be lengthened to more normal intervals based on individual patient needs. Plaque and calculus that is difficult for you to remove on a daily basis will be removed from above and below the gum line.
In addition to your periodontal cleaning and evaluation, your appointment will usually include:
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Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss.X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
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Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, cheek tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
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Oral hygiene recommendations: Review and recommend oral hygiene aids as needed. (Electric toothbrushes, special periodontal brushes, fluorides, rinses, etc.)
Good oral hygiene practices and periodontal cleanings are essential in maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under control!
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