Periodontal Maintenance Portland, OR
Periodontal Maintenance After Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a dental health condition that starts with the bacterial infection of the gum tissues, before progressing to the jawbone if it is not treated. Over time, the disease can cause severe damage to the gums and bone, leading to tooth damage and loss. However, it can be managed through various gum disease treatments. Unfortunately, even after the disease is controlled, it is possible for an infection to recur. However, this can also be prevented through maintenance treatments, which is where we come in. At Portland City Dental, we offer, among other dental solutions, periodontal maintenance to patients who have a history of gum disease. Read on to find out more about the maintenance treatment.
What is Periodontal Maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance is a treatment that is offered to prevent the recurrence or progression of gum disease. It involves the removal of the dental plaque and tartar, which is where the bacteria (which cause infection) build up. The removal mostly consists of dental cleaning - the surface of the teeth as well as below the gum line. However, the cleaning is more involved than the regular teeth cleaning performed during routine visits. Periodontal maintenance is an ongoing treatment, which is usually offered after every 2 or 4 months.
Why Do You Need Periodontal Maintenance?
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It helps to prevent the recurrence of periodontal disease - the regular removal of the plaque and tartar helps to get rid of oral bacteria before they build up to a level where they could become aggressive and cause an infection. Therefore, this helps to prevent the recurrence of gum disease.
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It prevents additional damage to the teeth, gums, and jawbone - periodontal maintenance helps to properly control the gum disease, by stopping further spread and recurrence of infection. This helps to protect your teeth, gums, and jawbone from additional damage.
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It can help to improve the appearance of your teeth - the maintenance treatment involves dental cleaning, which can help to get rid of stains. The removal of plaque and tartar also helps your teeth to appear brighter.
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It helps to improve your dental health - the removal of oral bacteria and prevention of oral infection helps to ensure that you are in top dental health condition. On top of that, during the maintenance treatment, it is possible to detect additional oral health problems at their onset, thus allowing for their timely treatment. |
The Periodontal Maintenance Process
Periodontal maintenance is a deep dental cleaning procedure for removal of bacteria. It involves:
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Examination
- your teeth, gum tissues, and jawbone are examined to detect any signs of infection or potential risks of infection. Dental x-rays can be used during the examination to offer a more detailed picture.
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Tooth surface cleaning
- the cleaning starts with the surface of the teeth to remove dental plaque, tartar, and any food particles that might have stuck.
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Cleaning of gum pockets and below the gum line - plaque, tartar, and food particles that have stuck inside the gum pockets or below the gum line are removed - a procedure known as scaling.
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Root planning - the teeth roots are then smoothed to get rid of any remaining bacteria. The smooth surface also makes it harder for the bacteria to colonize the roots in the future.
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Antibacterial medication - following the scaling and root planning procedure, antibacterial medication in the form of a rinse of cream may be applied inside the gum pockets and on the surface of the roots to get rid of any infection. |
Periodontal maintenance can help to control gum disease by keeping any bacterial infections to your oral cavity at bay. At Portland City Dental, we can offer you periodontal maintenance, as well as several other dental solutions to help manage gum disease. Call us today at (503) 256-7917 to book an appointment. |