Periodontal disease is a serious oral condition that affects the gums and bones around your teeth. Because it is an advanced bacterial infection, periodontal disease can lead to widespread tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum infections.
Deep dental cleanings, also known as periodontal maintenance can help to fight off the symptoms of periodontal disease and prevent it from developing further. With regular appointments, periodontal maintenance can eventually lead to the disruption of periodontal disease and a healthy mouth once more.
At Peak Dental Arts, we provide periodontal maintenance every three to four months for patients who are diagnosed with periodontal disease.
The Periodontal Maintenance Process
Periodontal maintenance involves an intense cleaning called “scaling and root planing” to remove plaque and bacteria around the gums and teeth. During a periodontal maintenance appointment, our dental hygienists will:
Remove Plaque
Remove surface-level plaque and tartar, just like we do during a routine cleaning.
Scaling & Root Planing
Clean in between your teeth and clean down to your gum line, and possibly even a little below. This process is called scaling and root planing.
Examine Pockets
Examine the pockets in between and beneath your gums. These pockets are common areas where bacteria and plaque can collect and eventually lead to infection.
Routine Maintenance
At Peak Dental Arts, we provide periodontal maintenance every three to four months for patients who are diagnosed with periodontal disease.
ARESTIN® at Peak Dental Arts
Because periodontal disease can be severe, Peak Dental Arts uses ARESTIN® to help prevent the growth of bacteria. ARESTIN, also called minocycline hydrochloride, is an antibiotic used to kill bacteria that cause periodontal infections.
During your periodontal maintenance appointment at Peak Dental Arts, we will place ARESTIN in any infected areas or pockets around your gums. ARESTIN is commonly applied right after the scaling and root planing procedure, which is used to disrupt bacteria beneath the gum line.
We use ARESTIN because it works quickly and starts killing bacteria at the source of infection. Even better, ARESTIN continues to fight bacteria after your appointment. Because of this, it is better than relying on scaling and root planing alone. ARESTIN can help to fight infection and inflammation for up to 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Periodontal disease is a very serious oral condition characterized by infected gums. Also called periodontitis, it means your gums are infected with bacteria that can spread to your teeth, roots, and even elsewhere throughout the body. The common symptoms of periodontal disease include:
- Receding, swollen, or puffy gums. Your gums may also be bright red or purple if they are in the early stages of infection.
- Bleeding gums or gums that feel very tender to the touch
- Bad breath, which may indicate that you have a lot of bacteria in your mouth
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
- Spaces in between your teeth where there weren’t before
- Infections developing between your teeth and gums
Overall oral discomfort may also indicate that an infection is developing or has already settled.
Periodontal maintenance or deep cleaning is different from the regular cleaning appointments you might be used to. Regular cleaning appointments are preventative – they’re intended to stop cavities or conditions like periodontal disease from occurring in the first place.
If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, you will need more than a regular cleaning. Instead, you’ll need deep cleaning or periodontal maintenance to clear away the advanced plaque and bacteria that may adversely affect your overall oral health.
There are many benefits of periodontal maintenance appointments at Peak Dental Arts.
- Removes plaque build-up. By removing plaque and tartar below or above the gum line, dental debris and bacteria will be thoroughly removed, reducing the likelihood of cavities or further periodontal disease symptoms.
- Prevents further infection and periodontal disease.
- Fresh breath and healthier teeth and gums.