Gum disease is the ultimate result of the buildup of plaque and tartar when you don’t brush and floss as thoroughly and regularly as you should. At its earliest stages, only the gums are affected, meaning the issue can easily be reversed if treated properly. However, advanced gum disease can penetrate your oral tissues and eventually destroy the bone and membrane supporting the teeth. Cove Choice Dental offers a number of solutions for gum disease so that we can save your smile and stop further damage; call us to learn more about periodontal disease treatment in Copperas Cove, TX.
A routine dental cleaning followed by an improved oral hygiene regimen can be all it takes to stop gum disease early on. For advanced cases, scaling and root planing are required. The scaling process involves using a special instrument to scrape away plaque and tartar that has built up underneath the gum line. Afterwards, root planing is performed to get rid of the rough surfaces that tend to invite bacteria; this also helps facilitate the healing process for the gums.
As gum disease progresses, the bacteria causing the damage travels deeper into your tissues, where it finds plenty of places to hide. Even scaling and root planing likely won’t remove all of the harmful bacteria in your mouth. To that end, antibiotic therapy is crucial for continuing the battle against gum disease in the weeks following periodontal treatment. We’ll discuss your antibiotic therapy in more detail once we have a clear grasp of the state of your oral health.