Patient’s Role in Treatment

No matter how successful your periodontal treatment has been, ultimately YOU are most important in maintaining your periodontal health.  For maximum results, you must take "ownership" in achieving long-term success.

The first responsibility is to eliminate factors that increase susceptibility to periodontal disease.  Some of these include smoking, chewing tobacco and excessive use of alcohol.

Secondly, it is important to maintain daily plaque control as periodontal (gum) disease manifests between the teeth.  Daily plaque control is achieved through brushing and using additional homecare aids such as floss, interdental brushes and rubber tips.  These aids will assist you in focusing plaque removal below the gumline.

Lastly, you are responsible for scheduling regular periodontal maintenance (Re-care) appointments.  The frequency of these visits will be determined by your periodontist and general dentist based on the level of your periodontal health.  Most patients with moderate to advanced periodontal (gum) disease, or patients who may be susceptible to periodontal (gum) disease, should have periodontal maintenance appointments every two to four months for their lifetime.  Maintaining this schedule is very important in managing and stabilizing periodontal (gum) disease.