Maintenance for Periodontal Disease

Plaque that is removed from teeth turns into tartar (calculus) in twenty-four hours! At home daily cleaning helps keep plaque and tartar from forming, but hard to reach areas will always need special attention.

Your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend that you have regular maintenance cleanings (periodontal cleanings), usually four times a year once your periodontal treatment has been completed. The pocket depths will be carefully checked to ensure that they are healthy at these appointments. Plaque and tartar 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:

• An examination of existing restorations to check current fillings, crowns, etc.

• Examination of tooth decay to ensure all tooth surfaces are free from decay.

• Oral cancer screening of the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, cheek tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.

• Oral hygiene recommendations will be reviewed with you and your dentist may recommend additional oral hygiene aids as needed. (Electric toothbrushes, special periodontal brushes, fluorides, rinses, etc.)

• Teeth polishing to remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing.

• Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs) are an essential tool for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.

Maintaining dental health and keep periodontal disease under control means using oral hygiene practices and maintaing regulary scheduled cleanings!

FACT

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.