How Our Periodontal Maintenance Can Help Your Gums

At Crossroads Dental, Dr. Carol Halloran and our experienced team are happy to help our patients in Waterloo, Iowa, and the surrounding communities achieve healthy smiles. While the early stages of gum disease respond well to improved oral hygiene, such as daily toothbrushing, flossing, and oral rinsing, if gum disease is not treated, it can progress into periodontitis. Once you have periodontitis, this is a serious gum infection that can eventually destroy the bones supporting your teeth.

To treat periodontitis, we will prescribe periodontal maintenance, which involves visiting our office on a regular basis, usually every three months, for a professional deep cleaning. These cleanings include thorough cleanings above and below the gum line, removing hardened plaque, also known as tartar, or dental calculus. Treatment of oral infections also requires removal of the biofilm from the teeth and gums followed up with antibiotic therapy. Periodontal maintenance is recommended every three months because if biofilm is not removed, the periodontal bacteria begin to flourish within three to twelve weeks. By providing a cleaning every three months, we can remove these bacteria and keep the condition under control.

Are you experiencing problems with your gums? If so, or if you have any questions regarding your oral health, please give our Crossroads Dental team a call today at [phone] and let us help. Dr. Carol Halloran and our dedicated team are always ready to help our patients in Waterloo Iowa, achieve healthy, confident smiles!