Periodontal Maintenance In San Jose, CA: Ongoing Gum Care
Periodontal maintenance in San Jose, CA, at My AZ Dental focuses on long-term control of gum disease after initial treatment. This continuing care helps reduce bacterial buildup, monitor gum health, and protect the bone and tissues that support your teeth.
Periodontal Maintenance Explained
Periodontal maintenance is a scheduled follow-up program after scaling and root planing or other periodontal therapy. Often called supportive periodontal therapy, it is different from a routine cleaning because it targets areas affected by gum disease. Visits include detailed measurements of your gums, careful removal of plaque and tartar below the gumline, and guidance for daily home care.
Many patients ask how periodontal maintenance differs from a deep cleaning. A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, is the initial treatment to disrupt and remove hardened deposits below the gums. Periodontal maintenance is the ongoing phase that follows, designed to keep disease-causing bacteria under control and help prevent recurrence.
How Periodontal Maintenance Can Help You
- Helps reduce inflammation and bleeding by disrupting bacterial biofilm around teeth and under the gums.
- Supports shallower pocket depths over time, which makes daily cleaning more effective.
- Protects the bone and tissues that hold teeth in place, lowering the risk of tooth loss.
- Allows early detection of changes so small issues can be addressed before they progress.
- Provides personalized coaching on brushing, interdental cleaning, and tools that fit your needs.
The Periodontal Maintenance Process
Appointments typically occur every three to four months, though intervals are tailored based on your gum measurements, health history, and home care. Here is what usually happens at each visit:
- Medical And Dental Review: Updates on medications, systemic conditions, and recent changes in your mouth.
- Gum Charting: Measurement of periodontal pocket depths and bleeding points to track stability.
- Targeted Cleaning: Careful removal of plaque and tartar above and below the gumline, with attention to root surfaces.
- Polish And Rinse: Polishing to smooth surfaces, plus antimicrobial irrigation when appropriate.
- Home Care Guidance: Tips on technique, interdental brushes, floss or floss alternatives, and water flossers.
If areas do not respond as expected, local antibiotics, re-instrumentation, or a reassessment with imaging may be recommended. When disease is well controlled, the interval may be extended. If inflammation returns, a shorter interval can help restore stability.
Your Visit Experience And Aftercare
Most periodontal maintenance visits are comfortable. You may notice mild tenderness where buildup was removed. Sensitivity usually improves in a few days.
- Brush twice daily with a soft-bristle or powered toothbrush, using gentle pressure along the gumline.
- Clean between teeth every day with floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser to disrupt plaque in deeper areas.
- Use dentist-recommended toothpaste or mouthrinse if you are at higher risk for gum inflammation.
- Watch for signs like bleeding, swelling, or persistent bad breath, and contact the office if they occur.
How often periodontal maintenance is needed depends on your pocket depths, bleeding sites, home care, and risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, or dry mouth. Sticking to your schedule is essential because bacteria repopulate quickly below the gums.