Gingivitis Treatment in Orlando, FL

If your gums bleed when you brush or look red and puffy, you may have gingivitis. It's the earliest stage of gum disease, and it's also the easiest to treat. At Strategic Dental Care in East Orlando, we help patients take care of inflamed gums before the problem has a chance to progress.

What Is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by bacteria. Bacteria thrive and multiply when plaque and tartar build up on the teeth. These bacteria cause the gums to become inflamed and bleed, and the bleeding is often most noticeable when you eat or brush your teeth. Bleeding and inflamed gums are an early sign of gingivitis.

If your teeth are showing signs of gingivitis, don't wait to see your dentist. Left untreated, it can develop into gum disease (periodontitis), which can cause significant tooth and gum deterioration. The good news: if an exam shows you have gingivitis, treating it is relatively simple and can be done by your hygienist or dentist.

Signs and Symptoms

Watch for:

Gums that bleed when you brush, floss or eat
Red, swollen or tender gums
Bad breath that doesn't go away
Gums that look puffy around the edges of the teeth

Gingivitis is often painless, so bleeding may be the only sign you notice.

What Causes Gingivitis?

The main cause is plaque that isn't removed by daily brushing and flossing. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be removed with a professional cleaning. Other factors that can raise your risk include smoking, hormonal changes such as pregnancy, certain medical conditions and medications, and teeth that are crowded or hard to clean.

How We Treat Gingivitis

Exam. We look at your gums, check for bleeding and measure the space between the gums and teeth to confirm whether you have gingivitis or a more advanced problem.
Professional cleaning. Your hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the teeth, including along and just below the gum line.
Scaling and root planing, if needed. If the problem has progressed toward periodontitis, deeper treatment may be needed. Scaling removes dental tartar from the tooth surface. Root planing smooths the root surfaces to remove infected tooth structure. Deep scaling and root planing is usually broken down into one section of the mouth per appointment, which allows adequate healing time and shortens each visit.
Home care plan. We'll show you brushing and flossing techniques that work for your mouth.
Follow-up. We'll check that your gums are healing and recommend how often to come back. See our periodontal care page for more on maintenance.

Recovery: What to Expect

After a cleaning, your gums may feel slightly tender for a day or two. As the inflammation goes down, bleeding usually decreases. Healing depends on keeping plaque under control at home, so daily brushing and flossing are essential.

Home care tips

Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush
Floss once a day, gently curving the floss around each tooth
Don't stop flossing because your gums bleed; gentle, consistent flossing helps them heal
Avoid tobacco
Keep up with regular dental hygiene visits

Why Early Treatment Matters

Gingivitis is the stage of gum disease where the damage is usually still limited to the gums. Once it progresses to periodontitis, the infection can begin to affect the tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place, and treatment becomes more involved. Treating gingivitis promptly is one of the simplest ways to protect your teeth for the long term. Regular exams also let us spot early changes you might not notice yourself, since gingivitis often causes no pain. If it has been a while since your last cleaning, a single visit is a good place to start.

Cost, Insurance and Payment Options

Treatment for gingivitis often starts with a professional cleaning, and cost depends on what your exam shows. Many dental plans cover preventive cleanings, though benefits vary.

Strategic Dental Care accepts most PPO insurance plans. Because every plan is different, call us at 407-284-1645 and our team will help you understand what your plan may cover before treatment begins. If you don't have dental insurance, ask about our in-house plans, which are designed to help reduce out-of-pocket costs. We also offer third-party financing, and there is no credit check to see if you qualify. Be sure to check our current specials too.

Healthy Gums for East Orlando Patients

Strategic Dental Care is at 12250 Strategy Blvd in East Orlando, serving the UCF area and surrounding neighborhoods. Busy schedules make it easy to put off a cleaning, but treating gingivitis early is far simpler than treating advanced gum disease later. Patients who are nervous about dental visits can read our post on comfort options for anxious patients.

Strategic Dental Care
12250 Strategy Blvd Ste 437, Orlando, FL 32817 (behind McDonald's)
Phone: 407-284-1645
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9 am–5 pm; Friday, 8:30 am–2 pm

Frequently Asked Questions About Gingivitis

Is gingivitis the same as gum disease?

Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. If left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis, a more serious infection.

Why do my gums bleed when I brush?

Bleeding and inflamed gums are an early sign of gingivitis. Bacteria in plaque and tartar irritate the gums, which makes them bleed when you eat or brush.

Who treats gingivitis?

If an exam shows you have gingivitis, treating it is relatively simple and can be performed by your hygienist or dentist.

What is the difference between scaling and root planing?

Scaling is the removal of dental tartar from the tooth surface. Root planing smooths the root surfaces to remove infected tooth structure.

Will insurance cover gingivitis treatment?

Many plans cover cleanings, but coverage varies. We accept most PPO plans and offer in-house plans and third-party financing with no credit check to qualify.