What Is Periodontal Maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance (also called a “perio maintenance” or PM appointment) is a specialized cleaning schedule for patients who have been diagnosed with gum disease. After gum therapy—such as scaling and root planing—ongoing maintenance is essential to prevent bacteria from returning and to keep gum health stable.
Perio maintenance is recommended every 3–4 months because periodontal bacteria repopulate quickly below the gumline.
What You Can Expect at Your Appointment:
- Comprehensive periodontal evaluation to monitor pocket depths and gum stability
- Removal of plaque, tartar, and bacteria both above and below the gumline
- Irrigation or localized medicaments if needed to reduce inflammation
- Polishing of the teeth (if appropriate)
- Oral hygiene review & personalized recommendations
- Progress tracking compared to prior visits
How Perio Maintenance Differs From a Regular Cleaning:
Regular Hygiene Cleaning
Periodontal Maintenance
Preventive care for healthy gums
Ongoing therapy for patients with gum disease
Focuses on above-gumline cleaning
Includes cleaning below the gumline to manage active bacterial sites
Typically every 6 months
Every 3–4 months for disease control
Does not track periodontal pocketing beyond routine screenings
Includes full periodontal charting and monitoring
Why It Matters:
Periodontal disease does not go away on its own. Regular maintenance helps:
- Keep gums healthy
- Prevent bone loss
- Reduce inflammation
- Protect your overall health
- Maintain results from previous treatment
If you have any questions, please contact our office at 620-663-9119.
If you would like to download a copy of these instructions please click here.
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