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Medically Reviewed By Periodontal & Implant Surgeons of Houston
1 November 2022
Home » Gum Care » Regular Cleaning vs. Periodontal Maintenance

Taking good care of your oral health is very important. This is because your mouth is the gateway to your overall health. Unfortunately, when it comes to oral hygiene, most people confuse between regular cleaning and periodontal maintenance. Understanding the difference between them will help you know which option suits your teeth.

Regular Cleaning

Also known as prophylaxis, regular dental cleaning is preventative care. We recommend that you have such procedures at least once or twice yearly. This will help prevent the development of severe oral conditions like abscesses, cavities, or oral cancer. In addition, regular maintenance ensures your teeth and gums are in good condition. It involves a thorough cleaning of your teeth, removing plaque, bacteria, and tartar that can lead to infections. We perform regular maintenance using specialized equipment that won’t harm your teeth. This procedure also gets rid of dental stains that might affect your smile.

Periodontal Maintenance

Even though periodontal maintenance is mainly similar to regular maintenance, it has several differences. For instance, periodontal maintenance is done every three to four months, unlike regular maintenance done only once or twice yearly. Furthermore, periodontal maintenance is done to manage existing oral problems. This is different from regular cleaning that is mainly preventative care. Periodontal maintenance involves removing tartar and harmful bacteria, just like with regular cleaning. However, it is thorough because it also cleans your gums and other parts of your mouth. Root planing and scaling are also done during a periodontal maintenance appointment.

Apart from that, our dentists will also examine your gum pockets and remove any harmful bacteria. This goes a long way in keeping your oral health in good shape. Note periodontal maintenance is mainly associated with an underlying condition like periodontal disease. So get in touch with us for more information on regular cleaning and periodontal care.