Tips for Periodontal Maintenance Between Cleanings
Traditional dental visits and cleanings are familiar to most people. These routine checkups are usually done every six months. For those with periodontal disease, however, their visits for periodontal maintenance may increase to every three or four months. There are some tips for maintenance that you can do between cleanings to help alleviate any discomfort or pain associated with periodontal disease.
Routine Deep Cleaning
Periodontal disease means that “pockets” have developed among your teeth. This requires deep cleaning below the gum line. This cleaning is often called scaling and root planing (SRP). This cleaning goes below the gum line to eliminate bacteria, tartar, and plaque. If left unchecked, bacteria will grow and multiply. This can lead to chronic inflammation.
Following this cleaning, the dentist will evaluate your progress. If there is no improvement, subsequent periodontal maintenance cleanings are then recommended. The dentist will take into consideration if you have other conditions such as a heart condition of diabetes. During periodontal maintenance cleanings with a periodontist, the focus will be on the pockets that have formed below the gum line. These maintenance cleanings are important to maintain gum and bone health.
Maintaining Cleaning Schedule
Adhering to the cleaning schedule is very important. You also need to continue regularly brushing and flossing at home to continue improving your oral health, and the development of periodontitis. The combination of periodontal maintenance cleanings and good home oral care is the key to improving gum and bone health. It will also help you keep your natural teeth.
Periodontal maintenance cleanings are typically recommended 3-4 times per year. This keeps the disease under control and hopefully into remission. Getting to that point requires sticking to the cleaning schedule.
Signs to Look For
There are signs to look for that may indicate that you need to visit a periodontist for a deep cleaning, rather than a regular one. They include:
- Red, Swollen, Irritated Gums
- Bad Breath
- Bleeding
- Receding Gum Line
- Sensitivity
- Loose Teeth
- Recent Bite Irregularity
What Should I Expect During My Initial Deep Cleaning?
Many people experience embarrassment that they have periodontal disease. This is unfortunate because with a good periodontist, the condition can be improved significantly. Some people also express fear that the initial deep cleaning will be painful. However, those individuals with shallow pockets often report little to no pain.
The initial deep cleaning will take place in two sessions. One for the right side of the mouth and another for the left. People who have more advanced periodontal disease with deep pockets may temporarily feel slightly sore or experience some tenderness. This fades within a day or so.
The Necessity of Regular Maintenance
Following the initial deep cleaning, your periodontist may recommend certain mouthwashes that should be used with daily brushing. These are designed to kill bacteria and promote healthy gums. While regular periodontal maintenance cleanings are key to controlling inflammation, your commitment to improving your oral health and keeping your teeth, fall on you and that means regular brushing and flossing every day.
Periodontal Maintenance At Vero Implants and Periodontics
Dr. Jeffrey Brown and his team at Vero VIP Implants and Periodontics can help you with an assessment, deep cleaning, and follow up maintenance cleanings. They provide Vero Beach dental services to residents throughout the area and help many individuals in preventing periodontal disease.
We can provide all of the periodontics treatments that you need, and can also replace any missing teeth with high-quality implants. Most patients are referred by other dentists to Dr. Brown for bone grafting, periodontal treatment, and implants, but a referral isn’t needed to visit or schedule an appointment with our practice.
Don’t let periodontal disease ruin your oral health. All it takes is one visit to begin improving your oral health. Contact us today to get started and on your way to a beautiful, healthy smile!