Teeth and gums always need routine dental cleaning to remain healthy, but depending on certain factors, these cleanings can vary in complexity. Healthy mouths only require twice-yearly hygiene cleanings, while teeth and gums that have been affected by gum disease need more frequent and comprehensive preventative care. If you are suffering from gum disease in Leesburg, VA, our periodontist, Dr. Jean-Claude Kharmouche, can assess health of your mouth and determine the best treatment plan from there.
What is periodontal maintenance?
After gum disease treatment, it is necessary to monitor the health of the gums to ensure that disease does not return. Periodontal maintenance is a comprehensive cleaning performed every 3-4 months to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth. This cleaning and maintenance of the gums, teeth, and jaw bone, especially the areas that were affected by gum disease, keeps your mouth healthy and disease-free long term.
Why is it necessary?
Gum disease can only be treated, not cured. After gum disease surgery, keeping an eye on the health of the mouth more frequently is the only way to ensure that gum disease never returns. Without these frequent, deep cleanings, plaque and tartar buildup can cause symptoms to occur all over again. To make sure that no gum disease surgery is needed again, periodontal maintenance actively prevents any excessive buildup of bacteria on the teeth.
What are its benefits?
Besides greatly reducing the chances of gum disease redeveloping in the future, periodontal maintenance helps keep the teeth and gums clean and polished. This routine maintenance also ensures that pocket depth between the teeth remains shallow so that teeth do not feel loose or create breeding grounds for bacteria. In addition, chronic bad breath (halitosis), a common symptom of gum disease, is kept in check with routine deep cleanings.
Routine periodontal maintenance is the only way to keep your mouth healthy after the treatment of gum disease in Leesburg, VA. Do you need to visit a periodontist to begin maintenance? Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kharmouche!
