Periodontal Disease Maintenance Los Angeles

Periodontal disease is a chronic condition, meaning that it can be treated but never cured. Fortunately, with proper maintenance and oral care, your symptoms can be controlled.

Your periodontal maintenance period starts as soon as your periodontal therapy ends.

What Are the Causes of Periodontal Disease?

Much like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or other chronic diseases, your oral health must be maintained so that the symptoms of your periodontal disease do not return or worsen.

Periodontal disease is the damage to the gums that occurs when bacterial infections develop in the gums and jawbones. Bacterial growth is normal but can get out of control due to poor oral health, smoking, hormonal changes, medications, and unhealthy diets. When periodontal disease is not treated, it can lead to tooth loss.

The above factors contribute to the initial development of your periodontal disease, and they can lead to the recurrence of the disease if they are not carefully monitored.

How Can You Maintain Oral Health?

The control of periodontal disease is achieved with consistent home care, regular dental maintenance, and continuous professional monitoring. Because the bacterial infection has already developed, periodontal disease patients are more susceptible to a recurrence.

What Are Deep Cleanings?

Periodontal maintenance focuses on periodic deep cleanings, or scaling and root planing, in areas of recurrent disease. After periodontal therapy, most patients undergo periodontal maintenance every three months as opposed to every six months, which is recommended for patients without periodontal disease.

Scaling and root planing is a thorough cleaning of the tooth roots. This treatment removes plaque and tartar from beneath the gum line and smoothes the surface of the tooth roots so that the gum tissue can reattach to the tooth healthily.

Deep cleanings are necessary in patients with periodontal disease because “pockets” that form around the teeth are more likely to collect bacteria and result in bone loss.

An Open Line of Communication

Following your periodontal therapy, frequent communication between you, your periodontist, and your dental hygienist is essential for the lasting maintenance of your oral health.

All information regarding your oral health and the stability of your periodontal condition will be discussed with you.