Periodontal maintenance is a specialized cleaning program designed to manage gum disease after initial treatment. It is performed on a customized schedule designed to meet your specific needs. Gum disease is a condition that can only be cured if it is caught and treated in the early stages. Once it progresses it can be kept under control with scheduled periodontal maintenance, but may never be fully cured.
The good news is that periodontal care can not only stop the progression of gum disease, but it can help repair the damage through specialized procedures. But maintenance is key. Find out the typical schedule for periodontal maintenance so you will know what to expect. Contact Medford Periodontics to schedule a consultation to discuss your specific maintenance needs.
The Standard Three to Four Month Interval
The 90-day cycle is the clinical standard for periodontal patients. The reason for this timing is because the bacteria that cause gum disease are capable of repopulating and reaching harmful levels within that timeframe. Even after a professional cleaning, some bacteria still exists below the gumline that will continue to regenerate and cause a relapse of infection.
Factors That Influence Your Specific Schedule
Your schedule will be determined on an individual basis. The standard 90 day cycle may not apply to you due to the following factors:
- The stage of your gum disease. Moderate to advanced stage gum disease may require more frequent treatment to be effectively managed.
- Health conditions like diabetes. If you are diabetic you are at a higher risk of gum disease, making more frequent periodontal maintenance a possibility.
- Habits such as smoking or chewing tobacco. These habits also increase your risk of gum disease, and make it harder to overcome.
- Genetic predisposition. Some patients have a genetic predisposition to gum disease and could benefit from more frequent periodontal maintenance.
- Oral hygiene habits. Keeping up with twice daily brushing and once daily flossing can keep bacteria levels down and potentially decrease the frequency of maintenance visits.
Maintenance vs. Regular Prophylaxis: Understanding the Difference
Prophylaxis refers to regular dental cleanings recommended every 6 months for average patients. Most patients who do not have gum disease or an elevated risk of gum disease will be able to adequately maintain their oral health with twice yearly dental cleanings by a general dentist.
Periodontal maintenance involves a deeper cleaning of the teeth that often reaches below the gumline to remove plaque and calculus (tartar or hardened plaque). It is typically performed as a follow-up to scaling and root planing. Scaling is the initial removal of calculus from the teeth and roots below the gums. Root planing follows to smooth the root surface to encourage the gum tissue to reattach more firmly and without gaps where plaque can gather.
Long-Term Benefits of Consistent Maintenance Visits
Keeping up with scheduled maintenance visits keeps gum disease from progressing to a more advanced stage. Gum disease that progresses without treatment can lead to more severe oral health issues, including tooth loss. The damage caused by advanced stage gum disease often requires surgery to correct and more costly treatments to replace missing teeth.
Another key aspect of periodontal health is the connection to your overall health. Studies have shown that oral health has a significant effect on system health and general wellness. Keeping up with periodontal maintenance to keep gum disease well controlled has long-term health benefits.
Protecting Your Oral Health for the Future
A customized schedule for periodontal maintenance is ideal for meeting the individual needs of each patient. At Medford Periodontics we base our recommendation for periodontal maintenance frequency on a combination of your dental history, your current oral health, and your own convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal Maintenance
Why can't I just have a regular cleaning every six months?
Once a patient has moderate to advanced stage periodontal disease, they require more intensive management than a standard cleaning provides. This is due to the presence of the existing oral bacteria and the damage caused by the infection.
Is periodontal maintenance a lifelong requirement?
While the frequency may be adjusted based on the health of the gums, periodontal disease is a chronic condition that requires ongoing professional supervision to remain in remission.
How does a periodontal maintenance appointment differ from a standard dental cleaning?
A standard cleaning (prophylaxis) only polishes teeth above the gumline for patients with healthy tissue. Periodontal maintenance is a medical treatment that removes harmful bacteria and calculus from deep pockets beneath the gumline to manage past gum disease.
What happens if I skip or delay my scheduled periodontal maintenance visits?
Bacteria regenerates and becomes more harmful within 90 to 120 days. Missing visits allows these bacteria to multiply unchecked, causing recurring infections, bone loss, and eventual tooth loss.
Can I ever return to a regular six-month cleaning schedule?
Not usually, because periodontal disease is a chronic condition that permanently damages bone support. Standard six-month cleanings cannot reach or clean the deep areas left behind by bone loss, making ongoing maintenance necessary.
We are Medford Periodontics, a specialized practice dedicated to the health of your gums and the longevity of your smile. Our team provides expert periodontal care and dental implant services to the Medford community. To learn more and schedule your next visit, please contact us today.