Do You Need a Periodontal Maintenance Appointment?
Periodontal maintenance cleanings are a crucial part of preserving your oral health, especially after you have undergone treatment for gum disease. These cleanings go beyond a typical dental cleaning, targeting areas affected by periodontal disease to prevent its recurrence and progression.
If you’re looking for a dentist in Mississauga, contact East Credit Dental! Schedule your appointment by calling (905) 567-1132.
What Is Periodontal Maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance is a professional dental cleaning designed to remove the bacteria, plaque, and tartar buildup that can cause or worsen periodontal disease. It’s an essential treatment for people who have already undergone periodontal therapy and have a history of gum disease.
Periodontal maintenance appointments are typically scheduled every three to four months, depending on the patient’s condition and the recommendation of their dentist or periodontist.
Why Periodontal Maintenance is Important
When left untreated, gum disease can lead to serious complications, including tooth loss, bone deterioration, and systemic health issues like cardiovascular disease. Periodontal maintenance cleanings help to mitigate these risks by:
- Removing plaque and tartar: Even with diligent brushing and flossing, it’s difficult to reach deep periodontal pockets where harmful bacteria thrive.
- Reducing inflammation: Gum inflammation is a key indicator of gum disease. Regular cleanings help to reduce inflammation and keep gums healthy.
- Preventing disease recurrence: Periodontal disease can recur if not properly managed. Maintenance cleanings reduce the risk of future infections by keeping bacteria under control.
Benefits of Periodontal Maintenance
There are many benefits to periodontal maintenance, including:
- Prevents periodontal disease from progressing: This type of dental cleaning helps remove bacteria and plaque buildup, preventing periodontal disease from worsening.
- Prevents tooth loss: Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Regular periodontal cleaning appointments can help prevent this from happening.
- Maintains oral health: Periodontal maintenance helps keep your teeth and gums healthy and can prevent other oral health problems, such as cavities and bad breath.
- Helps detect other health problems: Your dentist or periodontist may be able to detect other health problems during your periodontal cleaning appointments, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Who Needs Periodontal Maintenance?
Anyone who has had periodontal disease in the past and has undergone periodontal therapy is a candidate for periodontal maintenance. Additionally, you may also benefit from this type of dental cleaning if you:
- Have a family history of gum disease
- Smoke
- Have diabetes
- Are pregnant and may be at a higher risk for gum disease
The Periodontal Maintenance Process
The periodontal maintenance process typically involves a thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums. Here’s what you can expect:
- Evaluation: Our dentist will evaluate your gum health and determine if further treatment is needed.
- Scaling and Root Planing: If necessary, our dental hygienist will perform scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning, which involves removing plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and smoothing out the tooth roots to prevent bacteria from sticking to them.
- Polishing: After scaling and root planing, our dental hygienist will polish your teeth to remove any remaining stains or plaque.
- Oral Hygiene Education: Our dental hygienist will provide oral hygiene education and tips to help you maintain good oral health at home.
- Follow-up: The dentist will schedule your next appointment for periodontal maintenance, typically three to four months later.
What Happens If You Skip Periodontal Maintenance?
If you skip your periodontal maintenance appointments, you run the risk of allowing harmful bacteria to build up in the periodontal gum pockets. Over time, this can lead to the recurrence of gum disease, bone loss, and eventually, tooth loss. You also may experience:
- Increased gum inflammation and bleeding
- Pain and discomfort in the gums
- Worsening of periodontal pockets
- The need for more invasive treatment options
How to Maintain Gum Health at Home
To help keep periodontal disease from recurring, our Mississauga dentist has provided tips on how to maintain healthy gums at home:
- Brush and floss teeth regularly
- Use mouthwash
- Quit smoking
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Stay hydrated
- Keep up with a routine dental cleaning schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
Periodontal maintenance appointments are typically scheduled every three to four months, depending on the recommendation of your dentist or periodontist and your individual needs.
Periodontal maintenance isn’t usually painful. Some patients may experience mild discomfort during the cleaning process. Your dental hygienist can use numbing agents or adjust the cleaning technique to make you more comfortable.
Periodontal maintenance isn’t a cure for gum disease, but it can help manage and control the progression of the disease. Consistent and proper oral hygiene habits, along with regular periodontal maintenance appointments, can help keep periodontal disease under control.
Schedule Your Periodontal Maintenance Cleaning Today!
Periodontal maintenance is a critical preventive treatment that can help patients manage and control the progression of periodontal disease. You should schedule a periodontal maintenance appointment if you have a history of gum disease or are at risk for developing gum disease. Our Mississauga dentist is willing to help you get the dental care you need.
Combat periodontal disease and schedule your appointment at East Credit Dental by calling (905) 567-1132.