Periodontal Maintenance in Hornsby

Periodontal diseases are infections of the gums, which gradually destroy the support of your natural teeth. At Hornsby Family Dental Care, our team provides ongoing periodontal maintenance to help patients manage gum disease and protect their natural teeth. Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease in genetically susceptible individuals. Daily brushing and flossing help prevent most periodontal conditions.

What Is Periodontal Maintenance?

Periodontal maintenance is an ongoing program of deep cleaning and gum checks for patients who have had gum disease. Unlike a regular clean, it focuses on the pockets below the gum line where bacteria and tartar build up. It’s designed to stop gum disease from coming back and to protect the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place.

Most patients who need periodontal maintenance visit every three to four months. Your dentist will recommend the right schedule based on the health of your gums.

How Gum Disease Develops

Bacteria found in plaque produce toxins or poisons that irritate the gums, which may cause them to turn red, swell and bleed easily. If this irritation is prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets (spaces) to form. As periodontal diseases progress, the supporting gum tissue and bone that holds teeth in place deteriorate. If left untreated, this leads to tooth loss.

What Happens at a Periodontal Maintenance Appointment?

A periodontal maintenance visit usually includes:

• Measuring the pockets around each tooth to check whether your gums are healing or getting worse
• Removing plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line
• Smoothing the root surfaces so bacteria find it harder to stick
• Polishing your teeth
• Checking for loose teeth, bleeding or other signs of active gum disease
• Reviewing your brushing and flossing routine at home

If your gum disease needs more advanced treatment, our Hornsby team can refer you to a specialist periodontist.

Preventing Gum Disease in Hornsby

The best way to prevent gum disease is effective daily brushing and flossing as well as regular professional examinations and dental cleaning. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease.Once this disease starts, professional intervention from our Hornsby team is necessary to prevent its progress.

Signs of Gum Disease

Gum disease often develops without pain, so it’s easy to miss. See your dentist if you notice:

• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• Gums pulling away from your teeth
• Loose teeth or a change in your bite

Periodontal Maintenance FAQs

How is periodontal maintenance different from a regular clean?

A regular clean focuses on the teeth above the gum line and is suited to patients with healthy gums. Periodontal maintenance goes deeper, cleaning below the gum line and monitoring pocket depths to keep gum disease under control.

How often do I need periodontal maintenance?

Most patients need a visit every three to four months, but your dentist will tailor the schedule to your gum health. Some patients may move to longer intervals once their gums are stable.

Can gum disease be cured?

Early gum disease (gingivitis) can usually be reversed with good home care and professional cleaning. More advanced gum disease (periodontitis) can’t be fully reversed, but it can be managed with regular periodontal maintenance to prevent further damage.

Is periodontal maintenance covered by my health fund?

Many private health funds with extras cover include periodontal treatment. We offer HICAPS for on-the-spot claiming, so you’ll know your out-of-pocket cost on the day.

For periodontal maintenance and other dental services in Hornsby, contact us on 02 9477 1212.