In its earliest stages, gum disease can cause uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms. However, without timely treatment, it can lead to much more severe oral health problems. To protect your smile, our gentle team in Ardmore and Wynnewood can perform scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning, to reverse the effects of gum disease at our practice. This non-surgical treatment is a quick and simple procedure that can have many benefits, including alleviating your symptoms and preventing your condition from escalating.
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. It is the preliminary stage of gum infection that can lead to full-on periodontal disease. Patients with gingivitis will likely have swollen, inflamed, bleeding, and sore gums. Catching gum problems at the gingivitis stage makes treatment more straightforward. If you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above, contact Ledbetter Family Dental Care or Wynnewood Family Dental right away to schedule an appointment.
When gingivitis progresses, the soft tissues of the mouth become infected by harmful bacteria. Periodontal disease (also called periodontitis) affects the gums and the teeth. It can lead to gum recession, tissue loss, decay, loose teeth, bone loss, and tooth loss. For this reason, we’re serious about treating periodontal disease in Ardmore and Wynnewood, OK, thoroughly, and promptly.
While patients typically only experience minor discomfort during treatment, we will first apply a local anesthetic to numb your gums to ensure you remain as comfortable as possible.
The treatment itself is a two-part procedure. First, Dr. Ledbetter will perform the scaling. To begin, a unique tool will be used to thoroughly and gently remove tartar and plaque that has accumulated below the gum line in periodontal pockets. Next, he will smooth the tooth roots, a process known as root planing. This eliminates rough spots and encourages the gums to reattach to your teeth, closing the periodontal pockets where plaque and tartar can gather. By removing potential footholds for bacteria, root planing also reduces your risk of future reinfection.
Our team takes pride in helping patients protect their smiles with high-quality periodontal care. If you are experiencing bleeding or tender gums or have not undergone a cleaning or exam in the last six months, contact us today to schedule an appointment.