Perio Maintenance
“Gum disease doesn’t go away on its own — regular periodontal maintenance keeps it under control and protects the progress you’ve made.”
What Is Perio Maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance is a specialized ongoing cleaning program for patients who have been treated for gum disease. It is different from a routine cleaning and is typically scheduled every 3 to 4 months rather than every 6 months.
Why Is It Different from a Regular Cleaning?
Once you have been diagnosed and treated for periodontal disease, your gums require closer monitoring. The bacteria that cause gum disease can re-colonize within 90 days, making frequent maintenance essential to prevent relapse.
Regular Cleaning Perio Maintenance
Who it’s for Healthy gums History of gum disease
Frequency Every 6 months Every 3–4 months
Scope Above gumline Above and below gumline
Pocket measurement Periodic Every visit
Goal Prevention Disease control
What Happens at Each Perio Maintenance Visit?
Updated review of your medical history and medications
Measurement of gum pocket depths around every tooth
Assessment of bone levels and gum recession
Removal of plaque and tartar above and below the gumline
Polishing and irrigation as needed
Evaluation of any new areas of concern
Personalized home care recommendations
Can I Ever Go Back to Regular Cleanings?
In some cases, yes — if your gum health remains consistently stable over time, Dr. Kim may transition you back to a standard recall schedule. However, most patients with a history of periodontitis benefit from lifelong perio maintenance to preserve their teeth and bone levels.
What Happens If I Skip Appointments?
Missing perio maintenance visits allows bacteria to rebuild, leading to:
Return of active gum infection
Continued bone loss around teeth
Increased risk of tooth loss
Potential compromise of dental implants