How gum disease works
Periodontal disease is a slow, low-grade bacterial infection in the space between your gum and your tooth. Left unmanaged, it destroys the bone that holds your teeth in place — and bone, once lost, does not grow back on its own. The good news is that the disease itself responds very well to consistent professional care.
About half of American adults over 30 have some form of periodontal disease. Most do not know it. Smoking, diabetes, certain medications, genetics, and a long gap between cleanings are the main risk factors.
What periodontal maintenance is
Once you have been treated for active periodontal disease — usually with a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing — you move into a maintenance program. Maintenance cleanings are more thorough than a routine prophylaxis and typically happen every three or four months instead of every six.
At each visit, your hygienist measures the depth of the pocket between your gums and teeth, removes any new calculus that has formed above and below the gum line, and polishes. Dr. Willis reviews the chart for changes — even small ones — so we can respond before more bone is lost.
Why three or four months matters
Research shows that periodontal-disease bacteria fully recolonize cleaned root surfaces in about 90 days. Three- or four-month visits keep that population low enough that your immune system can manage what is left. Six months is too long once disease is present.
If we are recommending a tighter schedule, it is because we are seeing measurable risk in your chart. We will show you the numbers and explain what they mean. The goal is simple: you keep your own teeth.
Whole-body considerations
Periodontal disease is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, and certain pregnancy outcomes. We are not the only team caring for your overall health, but a steady maintenance schedule is one of the simplest things you can do for it.