Bartlesville, OK Periodontal Therapy Restores Oral Health

Teeth aren’t the only important components of a healthy smile. The gums and supporting tissues also need to be cared for with proper maintenance and diligent oral hygiene, and we take this responsibility seriously at Dentistry by Design. Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is one of the most common health problems on the planet, not to mention the leading cause of tooth loss among American adults. With routine screenings and revitalizing therapy options, Dr. Luke Lumpkin and the rest of our team can help patients avoid this threat and enjoy their smiles to the fullest. Please contact our Bartlesville, OK practice if you have any questions, or if you’re ready to schedule a first appointment.

It’s important to remember that gum disease can exhibit extremely subtle symptoms in its earlier stages; that’s why professional checkups are so important for identifying this condition early on. However, there are some telling indications that patients can look for when brushing and flossing, including:

• Oral bleeding that occurs when practicing oral hygiene
• Gum tissue that appears excessively swollen, red, or tender to the touch
• Severe bad breath that lingers even after oral hygiene/mouthwash use
• A noticeable shift in the way certain teeth or the entire bite feels to the patient

If we determine that you’re suffering from gum disease, our recommendation for treatment will depend on the severity of your infection. The available options are:

• Root Scaling & Planing – This in-depth cleaning removes infectious bacteria from beneath the gum line and smooths the rough surfaces of tooth surfaces, which can be magnets for infection. 
• State-of-The-Art Soft Tissue Laser Therapy – When gum disease has progressed past the early stages, our doctors can precisely remove diseased tissue and treat infection with our advanced Picasso Diode soft tissue laser. This non-surgical option is highly accurate and comfortable; in fact, patients are likely to experience only minimal bleeding, and the healing process is greatly accelerated as well.