Long Term Periodontal Maintenance
Regular visits to the dentist are vital to gum disease prevention. Your dentist will evaluate your gums and other oral tissues each time you are in the office. Measuring the pockets around your teeth will allow him to detect early warning signs of gum disease.
Anyone who has had treatment for advanced periodontal disease knows that meticulous homecare is the key to keeping periodontal disease from rearing its ugly head – again. Because personal oral care is a big part of any periodontal treatment plan, your dentist or dental hygienist will spend lots of time with you making sure you understand and implement proper brushing and flossing techniques at home. He or she may also recommend products like a prescription-strength antimicrobial mouthwash to help reduce bacteria in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth.
In addition to not smoking, which inhibits the healing process, your dentist will also recommend keeping a close eye on your periodontal health with more frequent checkups and cleaning appointments. When dealing with periodontal disease, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."