Periodontal Therapy in Temple, TX

To prevent or treat gum disease, Lakewood Dental Trails provides periodontal therapy as part of our general dental care services. Gingivitis and periodontitis affect the teeth and gums when bacteria beneath the gum line go undetected and untreated by routine brushing and flossing. Regularly scheduled exams and professional cleanings by our hygienist are essential. The effects of gum disease are often unseen until the symptoms become severe.

Periodontal therapy at our Temple, TX dental office is a treatment regimen employed by Lakewood Dental to reach below your gums and remove bacteria and plaque before they deteriorate tissue. When deteriorating, gums become tender, redness develops, and inflammation causes discomfort and bleeding.

Gum infection treatment is performed with a technique called scaling and root planing or SRP. Using specialized tools, your dentist or skilled dental hygienist will reach down below the gum line to scrape away plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums that are causing the infection. As food particles become embedded in the pockets of the gums, they form plaque and bacteria. The buildup of these particles and plaque causes the swelling and redness you commonly see above the gum line.

Scaling and root planing at our Temple, TX dental office removes the source of the infection and restores your gum tissue to full health. Without treatment, the gums would gradually separate from your teeth, leaving more pockets for bacteria, causing teeth to loosen and eventual bone loss.

Periodontal Deep Cleaning

You may have already seen the processes of scaling and root planing. If you have had a professional deep cleaning done previously, your hygienist did a scaling and root planing treatment on your teeth. It is a non-surgical treatment that removes heavy tartar buildup from your teeth, reaching below the gum line where regular brushing and flossing will not reach. Scaling removes the plaque and tartar and root planing smooths the surfaces to prevent future buildup in your teeth and gums.

We Can Help Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease can damage your gums and other structures that support your teeth before you're even aware that it exists. So the only way to stay a step ahead of gum infections is to be proactive with your oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day and flossing once. Then you need to follow up your hygiene efforts with dental exams and teeth cleanings twice a year at our Temple, TX dental office. Your efforts combined with professional dental care are your best bet for keeping your smile healthy and free of gum disease and cavities.

If it's time to schedule your next dental checkup, please call the Lakewood Dental Trails team today to schedule your appointment.