Gum Disease Treatment at Ponder Memory Family Dental — Dr. Ponder delivers trusted, preventive care designed to strengthen teeth and support long-term oral health for your whole family.
Severe toothaches, broken teeth, and knocked-out teeth cannot wait. Dr. Ponder-Memory offers same-day emergency appointments to get you out of pain fast.
Most people do not know they have gum disease until it has already done real damage. It is one of the most common oral health conditions in the country, yet it often develops quietly, without pain or obvious warning signs, until the situation becomes serious.
At Ponder Memory Family Dental, we take gum health seriously because it is the foundation of your entire mouth. Dr. Ponder and our team serve patients throughout the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans and surrounding communities with a preventive-first approach to care, including thorough evaluation and treatment of gum disease at all stages.
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It typically begins as gingivitis, a mild inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. When gingivitis is not addressed, it can progress to periodontitis, a more serious condition in which the infection spreads below the gumline and begins to affect the bone supporting your teeth.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, more than 42% of adults age 30 and older in the United States have some form of periodontal disease. That number climbs even higher among older adults and those who smoke or have diabetes, making regular monitoring an important part of any dental care routine.
Gingivitis is the earliest, most reversible stage of gum disease. At this point, the infection has not yet reached the bone, and with proper professional cleanings and exams combined with good home care, the gums can return to full health. Periodontitis is more advanced and requires more targeted treatment to stop the progression and protect what remains.
Catching gum disease early makes treatment far more straightforward, and knowing what to look for gives you a real advantage. The following symptoms can each signal a developing problem that deserves attention:
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it is worth getting evaluated sooner rather than later. Early treatment is always easier and more effective.
The right approach to gum disease treatment depends on how far the condition has progressed. We take the time to thoroughly evaluate your gum health before recommending any course of action, because our goal is always to recommend only what you actually need.
For patients with early to moderate periodontitis, scaling and root planing is often the first step. This is a deep cleaning procedure that goes below the gumline to remove built-up plaque and tartar from the root surfaces of the teeth. Smoothing the root surfaces makes it harder for bacteria to reattach, giving the gums a clean foundation to heal against. This treatment is often completed in two visits, addressing one side of the mouth at a time, and most patients find the process very manageable.
Once active gum disease has been treated, regular maintenance visits become an important part of keeping it under control. Rather than standard six-month cleanings, patients with a history of periodontal disease typically benefit from visits every three to four months. These appointments allow us to monitor the pockets around your teeth, remove any new buildup before it causes a problem, and catch any early signs of recurrence.
The health of your gums does not stay contained to your mouth. Research has established clear links between periodontal disease and systemic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illness. Chronic inflammation from untreated gum disease can have real effects throughout the body, which is one more reason we approach it with the same seriousness as any other health condition.
Patients managing restorative dental needs are also better served when the foundation is healthy. Even the best crown or filling is less effective in a mouth where the gums are compromised, so we address gum health as part of the overall picture.
Dr. Ponder brings over 10 years of experience as a general dentist, along with extensive training from a hospital-based general practice residency that gave her a thorough background in managing complex dental health situations. We believe in honest treatment planning and conservative care, which means we will always explain what we see, why it matters, and what your options are without pushing you toward anything unnecessary. Our patients across Lakeview, Lake Vista, Lake Terrace, and the surrounding New Orleans communities trust us to be straightforward with them, and we take that seriously.
Ponder Memory Family Dental accepts most major insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, United Healthcare, and MetLife, and we are happy to work with you on payment arrangements when needed. Whether you are coming in for a routine checkup or are concerned about symptoms you have been noticing, our team is here to help. To get started, schedule an appointment with us today.
Contact Information:
📍 7037 Canal Street Suite 206-207, Lakeview, New Orleans, LA
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