DENTAL HYGIENE

Periodontal disease is a progressive condition caused by a bacterial infection.   The gum tissues can normally be maintained in good health by effective daily oral hygiene procedures.   In addition, an important part of your treatment is regularly scheduled visits in this office with a Registered Dental Hygienist.   These supportive periodontal therapy visits, when supplemented by excellent home care on your part, will help you control periodontal disease and prevent tooth and bone loss.   There is a growing body of scientific evidence suggesting links between periodontal disease and other systemic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Please keep the following in mind:

• It is very important that your supportive periodontal therapy visits in this office, and your hygiene visits in your restorative dentist's office, be scheduled on a regular basis.  We will recommend a specific hygiene program for you, and we urge you to schedule these appointments in advance and stay with the schedule for best results.



• Patients who are making good progress sometimes do not feel the need to stay on a supportive periodontal therapy schedule.  Longer intervals between appointments may be recommended for patients who are doing well, but long-term control of periodontal disease depends in part on regularly scheduled professional visits in our office.  We believe that prevention is the best treatment of all.

If at any time you have questions about your oral health, periodontal disease, dental implants, or any of the other services we offer in our office, please feel free to contact our office.   We want to work in partnership with you and your dentist to improve and maintain your health.