The Importance of Ongoing Care
If you’ve received gum disease treatment, then the bacteria that caused this infection have been removed and your oral health restored. But in order to maintain this newfound health, you’ll need to apply a few new healthy habits as well. You may still have some bone loss and deep periodontal pockets around your teeth that will continue to trap bacteria from normal plaque and tartar buildup. To ensure your gums, bone, and teeth remain in great health and gum disease does not progress again, you will need to receive periodontal maintenance or a deep cleaning every 3-4 months in place of your bi-annual teeth cleanings. We’ll work with you and your insurance company to ensure financial limitations don’t prevent you from receiving this vital ongoing care. Experienced in providing periodontal maintenance in Cambridge, Oh, our team at Woodlawn Dental Center looks forward to helping you maintain great oral health for years to come!
The Dangers of Gum Disease
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, develops when bacteria from plaque and tartar are not removed from the teeth at and below the gumline. These bacteria infect the gum tissues, causing them to become inflamed and pull away from the teeth. As more bacteria thrive in these deepening pockets, gums and bone become irreversibly damaged. Advanced stages of gum disease that are not treated can lead to loose teeth or tooth loss and are linked to systemic health complications, including diabetes complications, stroke, and even cardiovascular disease.
Patients suffering from this stage of advanced periodontitis may find it increasingly difficult to maintain good oral and physical health as the presence of these conditions compromises the health of the immune system as well. It’s critical to your oral and physical health that you receive treatment for gum disease, especially in advanced stages. Only gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is reversible, but all other stages will need ongoing periodontal maintenance after osseous surgery to maintain the health of your smile.
Know the Signs of Gum Disease
- Gums that bleed easily
- Tender, swollen gums
- Loose teeth, changing bite
- Gum recession
- Persistent bad breath
The Steps of a Periodontal “Deep” Cleaning
You may be wondering why you require periodontal maintenance, and more frequently than normal teeth cleanings. This is because even though the rampant infection was eradicated with gum disease treatment, your mouth will need ongoing therapy to ensure the infection does not return. Periodontal maintenance is not a surgical procedure. It involves using a dental scaler to deep clean your teeth to remove bacterial plaque and tartar buildup on the entire length of each tooth and within the periodontal pockets.
Then, root planing smooths the rough edges of the teeth so gum tissue can firmly reattach and help seal out bacteria. During this appointment, a Woodlawn Dental Center team member will also measure the periodontal pocket depths and evaluate your gum tissues for bleeding and any signs of inflammation. By completing these routine deep cleanings every few months, our team can help ensure that your gum disease does not return, and you have good oral health for years to come!
Keep gum disease from harming your smile again.
Schedule your periodontal maintenance visit in Cambridge, Oh now.
