Periodontal maintenance is a procedure by which we clean your teeth and gums as thoroughly as possible. You might think this sounds strangely familiar to your routine check-up, but the two are not the same. Here is what a periodontal maintenance procedure looks like and how it is different than a regular cleaning.
A Really Deep Cleaning
Everyone goes for regular cleanings as a part of their general oral care. Regular cleanings are typically recommended twice a year, and are times when a dentist can treat any plaque or tartar build-up that is impossible for you to clean yourself. Periodontal maintenance is a step further than a regular cleaning. To begin with, your regular cleanings are a form of preventative care, whereas periodontal cleaning works on issues you already have. Periodontal maintenance works specifically on the heavy build-up of tartar and plaque that comes as a result of periodontitis. In addition, the doctor will carefully examine your gum pockets so that they can check for pockets of bacteria. We may also flush antiseptic fluid into your gum pockets to combat any inflammation or infection.
The key process of periodontal maintenance is scaling and root planing. These are specific techniques that involve going down to the root of the teeth and gums and cleaning away any of the tartar or plaque build-up. This is a non-invasive procedure, meaning that we do not need to use any anesthetic to perform it. Periodontal maintenance essentially helps you combat issues that have already arisen and does not promise to solve all things.
In fact, periodontal maintenance might be necessary even when your periodontitis has run rampant and done extensive damage to your teeth and gums already. If you have concerns about your teeth or want to know more about periodontal maintenance, please contact our office and we will do our best to help you.
Periodontal maintenance is a procedure by which we clean your teeth and gums as thoroughly as possible. You might think this sounds strangely familiar to your routine check-up, but the two are not the same. Here is what a periodontal maintenance procedure looks like and how it is different than a regular cleaning.