Periodontal Maintenance - Berkeley, CA
Keep Your Gums Healthy and Prevent Long-Term Damage
Maintain Your Periodontal Health
Periodontal maintenance therapy is an ongoing program designed to prevent the progression of periodontal (gum) disease in the gum tissue and bone that supports the teeth. Periodontal maintenance is usually necessary for patients who have been diagnosed with and treated for periodontal disease.
Maintenance visits to the periodontist can help to prevent additional dental problems in the future, such as further bone and tooth loss.
Treating the disease in its early stages can help to save you from not only oral and overall health problems, but also money!
Why is periodontal maintenance necessary?
Gum disease is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. The toxins produced by these bacteria cause our bodies to destroy the bone that supports the teeth. If plaque is not removed, it can harden and form calculus (tartar) that can exacerbate the periodontal problem.
Even someone dedicated to good oral hygiene will be unable to completely prevent the formation of all calculus on the teeth. Calculus forms when the minerals in the saliva harden, or calcify, the plaque on the teeth. Plaque is soft and sticky, and is continually forming. It is therefore important to ensure proper, thorough brushing and flossing on a daily basis to remove the plaque before it has the chance to solidify into calculus.
Flossing and brushing will help to keep the calculus formation to a minimum, but regular maintenance is needed to professionally remove what has accumulated. During your maintenance cleaning, the hygienist will evaluate and record your periodontal pocket depths and check for hidden periodontal problems.
How often do I need a maintenance visit?
Your periodontist will recommend how often you should have a periodontal maintenance visit. The frequency will be determined by the type of periodontal disease you have, the type of periodontal treatment you have had in the past, how you have responded to those treatments, and how quickly you accumulate plaque. The most important factor, however, is how dedicated you are to good hygiene at home.
Periodontal Maintenance FAQs: Keep Your Gums Healthy in Berkeley, CA
Periodontal maintenance is an ongoing deep-cleaning program designed for patients who’ve been treated for gum disease. Unlike standard cleanings, this therapy targets areas below the gum line to control bacteria, prevent tartar buildup, and monitor bone and tissue health around the teeth.
Standard cleanings remove plaque and tartar above the gum line. Periodontal maintenance goes deeper, cleaning under the gums where harmful bacteria collect. It also includes measuring periodontal pocket depths and checking for signs of disease progression.
Plaque forms continuously and, when mixed with minerals in your saliva, hardens into tartar (calculus). Even excellent at-home care can’t remove it once it’s hardened. That’s why professional maintenance visits are essential to remove buildup and keep gum disease from returning.
Your periodontist will tailor the frequency based on your disease history, treatment response, and how quickly you accumulate plaque. Many patients return every 3–4 months to maintain stability and prevent relapse.
Gum disease is chronic and caused by bacteria that can recolonize deep pockets over time. Without regular cleanings below the gum line, these bacteria can trigger inflammation, bone loss, and further damage—even if you brush and floss daily.
If your gums bleed when brushing, feel tender, or you notice bad breath or receding gums, you may need more frequent periodontal checkups. Your provider will track pocket depth and bone stability to catch problems early.
Yes. Without consistent care, plaque hardens into tartar, which harbors bacteria that destroy bone and gum tissue. Over time, this can loosen teeth or cause them to fall out. Maintenance visits reduce that risk significantly.
Gum disease doesn’t go away—it’s only managed. Staying on schedule with maintenance helps remove hidden bacteria, reduce inflammation, and prevent relapse, protecting your teeth and long-term oral health.
Preventing gum disease progression with maintenance visits reduces your chances of needing more invasive procedures like surgery, bone grafts, or tooth replacements—saving time, discomfort, and cost.
Simply call Dr. Keith Chertok’s office in Berkeley, CA to book your periodontal checkup. Regular visits are key to keeping gum disease under control and protecting your overall health.
