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Gum disease is a serious condition that affects the tissues providing essential support for your teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligaments, and jawbone. At Ledbetter Family Dental, Dr. Les Ledbetter and his experienced team are committed to offering effective gum disease treatment in Ardmore to help you maintain a healthy smile. By understanding the nature of gum disease and the available treatment options, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your oral health.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, begins when bacteria from plaque infect the gum tissues. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed through regular brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar (or calculus), which can only be removed by a dental professional.
As tartar builds up around the gum line, it breaks the healthy attachment between the gums and the teeth, allowing bacteria and plaque to infiltrate beneath the gums and along the tooth roots. This process leads to infection, inflammation, and, eventually, the loss of bone around the tooth. If left untreated, gum disease can progress to the point where tooth loss becomes inevitable.
Gum disease progresses through several stages, each requiring different levels of treatment:
If you are diagnosed with gum disease, starting treatment as soon as possible is crucial to prevent further damage. Ledbetter Family Dental Care offers comprehensive gum disease treatment in Ardmore tailored to your specific needs.
Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy:
We often recommend non-surgical periodontal therapy for patients experiencing loss of bone structure or deep bleeding pockets around the teeth. This treatment involves several key steps:
Scaling and Root Planing: This deep cleaning process removes hard deposits (calculus/tartar) from the roots of the teeth beneath the gums. It also smooths the tooth root to help prevent bacteria from adhering in the future.
Antimicrobial Treatment: After cleaning, antimicrobial medication may be placed in the pockets around the teeth to help eliminate any remaining bacteria and to reduce inflammation.
We closely monitor patients undergoing this therapy to assess their disease’s resolution and ensure that the treatment is effective.
Surgical Treatment:
In more advanced cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to restore the health of the gums and supporting structures. This can include flap surgery, bone grafting, or guided tissue regeneration.
Maintenance and Prevention:
After treatment, maintaining oral hygiene is critical to preventing the recurrence of gum disease. Dr. Les Ledbetter and his team will work with you to create a personalized maintenance plan that includes regular dental check-ups, cleanings, and proper at-home care.
Prevention is always the best strategy when it comes to gum disease. Ledbetter Family Dental Care in Ardmore strives to ensure that our patients visit for regular check-ups to help prevent gum disease and, if necessary, to discover and treat gum disease that has already begun to set in. Regular dental visits, combined with good oral hygiene practices like brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and using an antiseptic mouthwash, can significantly reduce your risk of developing gum disease.
At Ledbetter Family Dental Care, we provide the highest quality gum disease treatment in Ardmore. Dr. Les Ledbetter and our compassionate team are here to help you understand your condition, guide you through the treatment process, and support you in maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile.
Don’t let gum disease threaten your oral health—contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step towards effective gum disease management. In addition to gum disease treatment, we also offer root canal therapy, extractions, and crowns.