Periodontal Maintenance Procedure

 

Periodontal means “around the teeth”. This includes the soft gum tissue, ligaments, and the bones that support the teeth. Taking care of the whole mouth, not just the teeth, is central to total oral health. A periodontal maintenance procedure includes a comprehensive examination of the gums, bones, and tooth roots.

 

Gum Disease Prevention

 

Periodontal maintenance is essential to preventing the occurrence or recurrence of periodontal disease, or gum disease. The mouth has millions of bacteria present daily, and if these bacteria are allowed to remain on the surfaces of your teeth, they will develop into a sticky substance called plaque. This plaque is full of bacteria, which, if left untreated, will attack the enamel of the tooth and burrow between the gums and teeth. Plaque that is left unremoved will do damage to the gums, immediately causing an infection and causing the gums to swell and bleed easily. There is typically not pain yet. As the infection is left to advance, it will eventually create several more significant adverse health effects including loss of the bones and ligaments which support the teeth functionally, loss of gums inbetween the teeth which are important for smiling and keeping out bacteria and food, and eventually loss of the teeth themselves as they get loose. Gums that sag away from the tooth because of bacteria create what is called a pocket. Bacteria will continue to build up in the pockets, causing more advanced gum disease. Large pockets, resulting from gum disease, are extremely difficult to reverse. Periodontal maintenance can stop any further destructive progression of pockets by preventing further disease and breakdown.

 

The Periodontal Maintenance Procedure

 

The periodontal maintenance procedure is a thorough exam and cleaning that commonly starts with X-rays to examine the health and status of the support system below the gumline. Once the exam is complete, the teeth are professionally cleaned with either a manual scaling tool or an ultrasonic device. Once all the plaque is removed from the crowns, your dental provider will address the teeth below the gumline. If the plaque has progressed below the gumline, the provider may use a local anesthetic to numb the tissue to allow for a deeper scaling of the teeth. The final stage of maintenance sometimes includes root planing, which is scaling further down the root. An antibiotic may also be prescribed to eliminate further infection. When the teeth and roots are cleaned and polished, the soft tissue will show improvement within a few days. The gums will appear less swollen and return to a healthy pink color.

 

The Benefits of Periodontal Maintenance

 

If your dentist identifies that you have gum disease, they may suggest that you have a consistent periodontal maintenance procedure every three to four months. The more frequent cleaning, exams, and plaque removal will limit and reduce any soft tissue inflammation and protect the supporting system. You can also help reduce the negative effects of gum disease by establishing good oral hygiene habits at home. If you brush your teeth twice a day, two minutes each time, and floss daily, you will take big strides in keeping plaque under control. It is also recommended that you schedule dental examinations every six months. These regular exams and yearly X-rays help to develop a history of your oral health, and professional cleanings will help control plaque.

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