Periodontal Maintenance

Ongoing Care to Help Keep Gum Disease Under Control

Treating gum disease is an important first step, but periodontal care does not necessarily end when your initial treatment is complete. Periodontal disease is a chronic condition that can return or progress if it is not carefully managed. Periodontal maintenance provides ongoing professional care designed to help protect your gums, supporting bone, and natural teeth over the long term.

At Foley Family Dentistry, we personalize your maintenance schedule based on your periodontal health and individual risk factors. Our goal is to help you manage gum disease as effectively as possible while giving you the information and support you need to care for your smile at home.

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What Is Periodontal Maintenance?

Periodontal maintenance is a specialized type of professional cleaning for patients who have been treated for periodontal disease. It is typically recommended after treatment such as scaling and root planing, sometimes called a deep cleaning.

During a periodontal maintenance visit, we carefully remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, including areas above and below the gumline where periodontal bacteria can accumulate. We also evaluate your gums and periodontal pockets so we can monitor how well your condition is being managed and identify changes that may need attention.

How Is Periodontal Maintenance Different From a Regular Cleaning?

A routine preventive cleaning is generally intended for patients with healthy gums and no history of active periodontal disease. Periodontal maintenance is designed specifically for patients who have experienced gum disease and need continued care to help manage it.

Because periodontal disease affects the tissues and bone that support your teeth, maintenance may involve cleaning deeper below the gumline and monitoring areas that have previously been affected by the disease.

If periodontal maintenance is recommended for you, it is not simply another name for a regular cleaning. It is an important part of managing your periodontal health after active treatment.

Why Is Continued Periodontal Care Important?

Periodontal disease can cause pockets to form between the teeth and gums, creating spaces where bacteria can collect. Even after treatment has reduced inflammation and improved gum health, these areas may remain more difficult to keep clean with brushing and flossing alone.

Consistent periodontal maintenance helps us control bacterial buildup and watch for signs that the disease is becoming active again. Without ongoing care, periodontal disease can continue to damage the gums and supporting bone and may eventually contribute to tooth loss.

Our goal is to identify changes early and help you maintain the progress you have made.

How Often Will I Need Periodontal Maintenance?

Your periodontal maintenance schedule will depend on your individual needs. Some patients benefit from visits more frequently than the traditional six-month schedule used for routine preventive care.

We consider factors such as the severity and history of your gum disease, periodontal pocket depths, how your gums respond to treatment, your home care, smoking or tobacco use, certain health conditions, and other factors that may affect periodontal health.

We will explain the schedule we recommend and why we believe it is appropriate for you.

Your Home Care Matters, Too

What happens between periodontal maintenance visits is an important part of keeping gum disease under control. Thorough brushing and daily cleaning between your teeth help reduce the plaque that continually forms around the gumline.

Depending on your needs, we may recommend floss, interdental brushes, a water flosser, or other products to help you clean effectively at home. If certain areas are particularly difficult to reach, let us know. We can help you find techniques and tools that make your daily routine easier and more effective.

Protecting Your Gum Health for the Long Term

If you have been treated for periodontal disease, staying consistent with your recommended maintenance visits is one of the most important things you can do to protect the progress you have made. We will continue to monitor your gum health, answer your questions, and adjust your care when needed.

Call for more information or to schedule an appointment with Foley Family Dentistry in Foley, AL.

Call (251) 257-7009