Gum care
Gum maintenance visits
After gum treatment the roots need regular cleaning below the gumline, and the gums need measuring. A maintenance visit is a longer cleaning than a routine one, with a check by Dr. Wade.
Many people alternate maintenance visits between our office and their dentist's, so the gums are seen every few months. Dr. Wade sets the schedule from your measurements, and changes it when they change.
Who it is for
Anyone who has had gum treatment
Implant patients
People who alternate with their dentist's visits
What happens
Plan on about an hour.
- 01
Step 1: Measure
The hygienist measures each tooth and compares it with your last visit.
- 02
Step 2: Clean
Roots are cleaned below the gumline with hand tools and an ultrasonic scaler.
- 03
Step 3: Check
Dr. Wade looks at the chart and your gums, and tells you what has changed.
- 04
Step 4: Book the next one
Usually three to four months, and sometimes sooner or later. She tells you why.
X-rays are taken only when they are needed to see something we can't see otherwise.
Comfort, choices and care
Comfort
Most people feel pressure, and gums that are tender can be numbed with a gel or a local anesthetic. Tell us what you'd like, and raise a hand to pause.
If you wait
Skipping maintenance lets deposits build under the gums again, and gum disease can return without much warning. You can also choose to come less often; Dr. Wade tells you what she would watch for.
Risks and after-care
Gums can be tender or bleed a little, and teeth may be sensitive to cold for a day. Rinse with warm salt water. Call us if soreness lasts more than a few days or you notice swelling.
How it's billed
Plans often treat maintenance differently from a routine cleaning. We check your plan and give you a written estimate before the visit.
How fees work
Questions about maintenance
How often will I come?
Usually every three to four months. Dr. Wade sets it from your measurements.
Can I still see my dentist for cleanings?
Yes. Many patients alternate. Your dentist gets our chart so both offices are working from the same numbers.
Why is it longer than a routine cleaning?
The hygienist measures each tooth and cleans below the gumline, and Dr. Wade checks the gums.
Provided by a periodontist
Dr. Etta Wade, DDS, licensed in Missouri. The practice is limited to periodontics.