Periodontal Maintenance Procedure

Periodontal maintenance is a form of preventative care against gum disease and other infections as a means of ‘deep cleaning’ the teeth. This is often done because the extent of the plaque and other tartar buildup has not only accumulated on the surface of the teeth, but also deeper below the gumline, where infection is most likely to occur.

Periodontal disease symptoms

The disease itself is quite common in nearly half of the adults in the United States aged 30 and over, and can become easier to encounter as we get older. It’s best to spot early symptoms before they become worse and the disease progresses into something worse. Some symptoms may include:

  1. Bleeding of the gums when brushing or flossing
  2. Tenderness or swelling of the gums, possible hints of an abscess forming in the gumline
  3. Bad breath that lingers due to the tooth becoming infected
  4. Chewing becomes painful, mostly at the points where the bite is released
  5. Teeth will become sensitive to hot or cold foods, super sweet foods, or even letting air flow through the mouth
  6. Loose teeth start to become a problem when the bone mass around the tooth becomes less dense and hollower, losing the support that keeps the tooth in place
  7. Receding gums occur when the bone mass starts to deplete, and there is less mass for the gums to stick to.

Treatment types

Once the mouth and its oral state are examined by a dental specialist, the next step would be to discuss the next steps for treatment that fit the person and their health and lifestyle. This is determined after the dentist stages each tooth individually, looking for the four or more most severe periodontal disease stages. Based on this exam, the next step would be considering nonsurgical or surgical treatment.

  1. Nonsurgical Treatment: also known as the scaling and root planing technique a procedure where the surface and thin under the gum line is plaque and other bacteria is scraped and removed from the tooth. Once plaque is cleared from both surfaces, the surface is then buffed out and smoothed to prevent further irritation to the gums or skin around the teeth. After this treatment, the dentist may prescribe one of the three medications for after the procedure:

  1. Antimicrobial mouth rinse
  2. Gelatin-based medication called an antiseptic chip
  3. A low dose of doxycycline as an enzyme suppressant to prevent destructive enzymes from multiplying

  1. Surgical Treatment: arises when the plaque creates a deep enough pocket in the gums that it lets the bacteria sit and start to rot at the root of the tooth. The rotting causes the tooth pulp to become soft and infected, exposing the nerves of the tooth to this infection and causing pain and sensitivity to the tooth.

  1. Flap surgery is done when the tooth is scraped of the plaque on and deep in the pocket of the gums. The gums are then sutured tighter to fit more closely to the tooth.
  2. Leveling shallow bone defects with bone grafts or other regenerative surgical techniques helps remove the pockets of space between the teeth and bone.

To avoid costly visits to the dentist or further worsening any symptoms, it’s best to reach out to a dental specialist as soon as possible for an appointment.

Related Article: What is Periodontal Maintenance?