Maintenance

Plaque left on your teeth for 24 hours can harden into calculus (tartar), making daily home cleaning vital to control plaque and tartar accumulation. Special attention is necessary for those hard-to-reach areas.

After completing your periodontal treatment, your dentist and dental hygienist will likely recommend regular maintenance cleanings, typically four times a year. During these appointments, the depths of your gum pockets will be thoroughly checked to ensure they remain healthy. Plaque and calculus that are difficult to remove daily will be cleaned from above and below the gum line.

Your periodontal cleaning and evaluation appointments will usually also include:

• Examination of Diagnostic X-rays (Radiographs): Crucial for detecting decay, tumours, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help in assessing the positions of teeth and roots.
• Examination of Existing Restorations: Inspection of fillings, crowns, etc.
• Examination for Tooth Decay: Checking all tooth surfaces for decay.
• Oral Cancer Screening: Examination of the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues of the cheeks, and gums for signs of oral cancer.
• Oral Hygiene Recommendations: Evaluation and recommendation of oral hygiene aids as needed (e.g., electric toothbrushes, special periodontal brushes, fluorides, rinses).
• Teeth Polishing: Removal of stains and plaque that are not eliminated during tooth brushing and scaling.

Maintaining good oral hygiene practices and undergoing periodic periodontal cleanings are crucial for dental health and managing periodontal disease effectively.