Periodontal maintenance is a specialized form of dental cleaning designed specifically for patients who have already experienced some level of gum disease. Unlike routine cleanings, which are intended purely as preventive care for healthy gums, periodontal maintenance is a type of prescribed treatment aimed at keeping established periodontal disease in remission.
While it may look similar to a standard dental cleaning at first glance, periodontal maintenance is much more thorough and is tailored to manage the long-term effects of gum disease. It is a critical step in preventing the recurrence of the infection and maintaining the health of your gums, bone, and teeth after treatment.
Why Is Periodontal Maintenance Needed?
For people with healthy gums, a routine dental cleaning—typically every six months—is usually sufficient. These cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup above the gum line, polish the teeth, and help prevent cavities and gingivitis. But once gum disease has taken hold, the bacterial infection often reaches below the gum line and damages the supporting structures of the teeth, including the periodontal ligaments and jawbone. At that point, a standard cleaning is no longer enough to manage the condition.
That’s where periodontal maintenance comes in. When gum disease (periodontitis) develops, bacteria-laden plaque and hardened tartar collect below the gum line, forming “pockets” between the teeth and gums. These pockets, if left untreated, can deepen and lead to bone loss, tooth mobility, and ultimately tooth loss.
What Happens During a Periodontal Maintenance Appointment?
Before your first maintenance visit, gather any recent dental X-rays or treatment summaries to share with your hygienist. Come prepared with questions about your oral hygiene routine or concerns about discomfort. A clear understanding of your medical history and any medications you’re taking will help your dental team tailor the maintenance protocol to your needs.
A periodontal maintenance visit typically includes several focused steps:
- Detailed assessment: Your dental hygienist or periodontist will measure pocket depths around each tooth, assess gum recession, and check for signs of inflammation, bleeding, or tissue changes. This detailed evaluation helps track disease activity over time.
- Scaling below the gum line: Using manual curettes or ultrasonic instruments, the hygienist meticulously removes residual plaque and tartar from both above and, crucially, below the gum line. This deep cleaning is more thorough than a standard polish.
- Root planing (smoothing): Teeth roots are gently smoothed to eliminate microscopic grooves and irregularities where bacteria can hide. Smoother root surfaces discourage bacterial attachment and encourage gums to reattach cleanly to the tooth.
- Antimicrobial therapy: If pockets show active inflammation, an antiseptic rinse or a locally delivered antibiotic gel or chip may be used to reduce bacterial load directly within the pocket.
- Home‑care coaching: Personalized guidance on brushing technique, flossing routines, and possibly adjunctive tools (like interdental brushes, rubber-tip stimulators, or water flossers) helps you maintain periodontal health between visits.
Even after surgical interventions or advanced therapies, the maintenance phase remains critical for long‑term success and preservation of teeth and supporting bone. Rather than the six‑month interval common for routine cleanings, periodontal maintenance is usually scheduled every three to four months. Around 90 days after the initial treatment, bacteria can recolonize periodontal pockets to levels that may trigger renewed inflammation or tissue breakdown.
Regular maintenance visits at this interval help sustain healing and allow early intervention should disease activity reappear.