PERIO MAINTENANCE AT
SCHUMACHER & BAUER

What is perio maintenance and why do I need to see the dentist more often after treatment for gum disease?

Gum disease is serious; once you’ve lost support for your teeth, it can never be fully reversed. Gum disease is the number 1 reason for adult tooth loss. Because gum disease is caused by the bacteria in plaque, professional intervention via perio maintenance and drastic change in home care is needed to manage the disease so it does not come back.

How often do I need to come to the office for perio maintenance?

It’s not written in stone and every patient is different, but we have found that coming into the dental office every three months will set you up for the best success of keeping gum disease at bay. We will tailor a plan that meets your needs and evolves as your gum health improves.

What if I just stay on my regular dental cleanings and exams every six months?

Treating gum disease with gum therapy alone with no other changes in home care or increased visits with your hygienists puts you at risk for a few things:

• The gum disease never fully goes away without proper treatment: In this scenario you have made some areas in your mouth better but not all. This still puts you at risk for the disease to spread and ultimately puts you at risk for tooth loss
• The gum disease goes away but then comes back worse than before: In this scenario, you think things are fine and your gums look and feel better for a few months. Then when we do see you the areas that were originally mildly infected are now severely infected requiring intervention with gum therapy again.

Because gum disease, like heart disease, does not hurt or feel any different, it’s important to check in with a dental professional to make sure you are still healthy.