Periodontal Maintenance in San Francisco
Keeping gum disease from returning takes more than brushing and flossing alone. At Financial District Dentistry, we offer ongoing periodontal maintenance to help patients throughout San Francisco, CA protect their gum health long-term.
What Is Periodontal Maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance is a specialized cleaning for patients who have been treated for gum disease. It goes beyond a standard cleaning to closely monitor and manage periodontal health, helping prevent disease from returning.
Why Periodontal Maintenance Matters
Once gum disease has been treated, ongoing maintenance helps keep bacteria levels in check, monitor for early signs of returning disease, and protect the progress made during initial treatment like scaling and root planing.
Maintenance vs. Regular Cleaning
A regular cleaning is designed for patients with healthy gums, while periodontal maintenance is tailored for patients with a history of gum disease, including closer monitoring of periodontal pockets and more thorough cleaning below the gumline.
Who Needs Periodontal Maintenance?
If you’ve been treated for gingivitis or periodontitis, ongoing maintenance is typically recommended to protect your results. Watch for signs your gum disease may be returning, like renewed bleeding, swelling, or bad breath.
What Happens During a Visit?
A maintenance visit typically includes a review of your gum health, evaluation of periodontal pocket depth, thorough plaque and tartar removal, and bacterial reduction. We may also take X-rays when appropriate and offer home care coaching tailored to your needs.
How Often Do You Need Maintenance?
Most patients benefit from maintenance visits every three to four months, though your dentist may recommend more frequent visits depending on your history and risk factors.
Maintenance for Dental Implants
If you have dental implants, periodontal maintenance also helps monitor the health of the tissue around them, since gum health is important for implant longevity too.
What Happens If You Skip Maintenance?
Delayed or skipped maintenance can allow gum disease to progress again, potentially leading to further bone loss and putting your teeth at greater risk over time.
Cost of Periodontal Maintenance
Cost varies based on your specific needs and treatment history. Visit our Financial Information page for details, or call (415) 399-9999 with questions.
Schedule Your Maintenance Visit
Protecting your gum health is an ongoing effort — our team at Financial District Dentistry is here to help. Contact us or request an appointment today.
Periodontal Maintenance FAQs
What’s the difference between maintenance and a regular cleaning?
Maintenance is tailored for patients with a history of gum disease and includes closer monitoring and cleaning below the gumline.
How often do I need periodontal maintenance?
Most patients benefit from visits every three to four months, though your dentist may recommend a different schedule based on your history.
Does periodontal maintenance hurt?
Most patients find maintenance visits comfortable, similar to a standard cleaning.
What happens if I skip a maintenance visit?
Skipping maintenance can allow gum disease to progress again, potentially leading to further bone loss over time.
Do implants need periodontal maintenance too?
Yes, maintenance also helps monitor and protect the gum tissue around dental implants.
Can maintenance help with bad breath?
Yes, by reducing bacteria buildup below the gumline, maintenance can help improve persistent bad breath related to gum disease.
Protect Your Progress
Contact us at (415) 399-9999 to schedule your periodontal maintenance visit.