Periodontal Maintenance Keeps Your Gums Healthy and Prevents Long-Term Damage
Maintain Your Periodontal Health
Periodontal maintenance therapy is an ongoing program designed to prevent the progression of periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease is a gum infection that targets the gum tissue and bone that supports the teeth and can be a very serious thing. Periodontal maintenance is usually necessary for patients who have been diagnosed with and treated for periodontal disease in the past.
At West Valley Dental Implant Practice, we focus our dental efforts on three distinct areas: periodontal disease treatment, dental implant placement, and cosmetic dental procedures. We’ve found that the most effective way to treat your teeth is to start by making sure your overall oral health is in excellent shape.
That’s what periodontal treatment is all about. We treat your gum tissue, your gumline, and the supporting structure of your mouth so that your smile can be ready to enjoy the benefits of restorative and cosmetic treatments. Whether it is a deep cleaning treatment, a minimally invasive LANAP laser procedure, scaling and root plaining, or a routine dental cleaning, our team has what you need to get your smile looking its best!
If you have questions about any of our treatments, please do not hesitate to contact us. You may also schedule an appointment through our online form.
Periodontal Maintenance in Encino, CA
Maintenance visits to the periodontist can help to prevent additional dental problems in the future, such as further bone and tooth loss. Treating the disease in its early stages can help to save your oral and overall health. It’s also able to save you money in the long term as you avoid the need for gum disease treatment.
Why is Periodontal Maintenance Necessary?
Gum disease is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. The toxins produced by these bacteria cause our bodies to destroy the bone that supports the teeth. If plaque is not removed, it can harden and form calculus (tartar) that can exacerbate the periodontal problem, leading to a gum infection, or worse!
Even someone dedicated to good oral hygiene may be unable to completely prevent the formation of all calculus on the teeth. Calculus forms when the minerals in the saliva harden, or calcify, the plaque on the teeth.
Plaque is soft and sticky and is continually forming. It is therefore important to ensure proper, thorough brushing and flossing on a daily basis to remove the plaque before it has the chance to solidify into calculus.
Flossing and brushing can help keep the calculus formation to a minimum, but regular maintenance is needed to professionally remove accumulated plaque. Your efforts to avoid the buildup of plaque leading to calculus deposits can and will be augmented by your dentist during your regular dental checkups.
When you come in for a routine dental cleaning, our dental hygienist can also evaluate and record your periodontal pocket depths and check for hidden periodontal problems.
How Often Do I Need a Maintenance Visit?
Your periodontist will recommend how often you should have a periodontal maintenance visit. The frequency will be determined by:
- The type of periodontal disease you have.
- The type of periodontal treatment you have had in the past.
- How you have responded to those treatments.
- How quickly you accumulate plaque.
As much as these factors can matter, the most important action you can take for your own oral health is to practice good oral hygiene at home.
Contact Us Today to Learn More
Get in touch with us at West Valley Implant Dental Practice with any questions or concerns about periodontal maintenance. Our team is dedicated to treating your oral health and helping your smile be the healthiest it can be.
You can trust us to diagnose and provide treatment for any type of periodontal disease—whether it’s in the beginning stages or advanced. Contact us today to learn more about how we can transform your smile and oral health for the better.