Gum Disease Treatment in Orlando, FL
Gum disease is a serious infection that can damage the soft tissue around your teeth and destroy the bone that supports them. Because it often develops quietly, many people don't know they have it until it has progressed. At Strategic Dental Care in East Orlando, we help patients find gum disease early, treat the infection and protect their teeth for the future.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, starts with plaque, a film on the teeth that hardens to form tartar. As tartar builds up, it becomes a host for bacteria that attack the soft tissue at the base of the teeth. Over time, the infection can break down the gums and the bone that hold your teeth in place.
Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis. The disease advances silently and often without pain, which is why routine exams are so important.
Warning Signs of Gum Disease
Bleeding gums and bad breath are early warning signs that you may have gingivitis. As gum disease progresses, you might also notice:
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath or a bad taste that doesn't go away
- Gums that pull away from the teeth, making teeth look longer
- Loose teeth or changes in your bite
Tooth loss is an obvious indicator of a serious gum infection. If you notice any of these signs, don't wait for your next routine visit. Call us to schedule an exam.
Why Gum Disease Matters Beyond Your Mouth
Scientific research has shown links between gum disease and stroke, heart disease and diabetes. Pregnant women can also be affected by gum disease because the body's immune system is weakened during pregnancy. Keeping your gums healthy is one part of taking care of your overall health.
Who Is at Risk?
Anyone can develop gum disease, but the risk is higher if you:
- Skip regular cleanings or have trouble brushing and flossing thoroughly
- Smoke or use tobacco
- Have diabetes or another condition that affects your immune system
- Are pregnant
- Have crowded or hard-to-clean teeth
How We Treat Gum Disease
- Periodontal exam. We check your gums for inflammation, bleeding and pockets where the gums have separated from the teeth, and take digital X-rays if needed to look at the bone.
- Scaling. We remove tartar and plaque from the tooth surfaces, including below the gum line.
- Root planing. We smooth the root surfaces to remove infected tooth structure, which helps the gums heal and reattach.
- One section at a time. Deep scaling and root planing is usually done one section of the mouth per appointment, which allows adequate healing time and keeps each visit shorter.
- Periodontal maintenance. Plaque and tartar start forming again almost immediately, so we schedule regular maintenance visits to keep the disease from returning. Learn more on our periodontal care page.
Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is the gum treatment we provide in our office. Many cases of gum disease can be treated here, while some advanced cases are referred to a specialist. We'll let you know which applies to you after your exam.
Recovery and Home Care
After scaling and root planing, your gums may be tender and slightly sensitive for a short time. To help them heal:
- Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day
- Floss daily, being gentle around tender areas
- Rinse with warm salt water if your gums feel sore
- Avoid tobacco products
- Keep your follow-up and maintenance appointments
Preventing Gum Disease
The best treatment is prevention. Brush twice a day, floss daily and visit us for regular cleanings and checkups. Professional cleanings remove the tartar that brushing can't, before it can cause infection.
Cost, Insurance and Payment Options
The cost of gum disease treatment depends on how many areas of the mouth need care. Many dental insurance plans provide some coverage for periodontal treatment.
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.
Gum Disease Care in East Orlando
Our office at 12250 Strategy Blvd serves East Orlando, the UCF area and nearby communities. If your gums are bleeding or you've been told you have gum disease, we'll explain exactly what's happening and what we recommend, without pressure.
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 Gum Disease
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease begins as plaque, which hardens into tartar. Tartar becomes a host for bacteria that attack the soft tissue at the base of the teeth.
Can gum disease be reversed?
Gingivitis, the early stage, can often be treated with professional cleaning and good home care. More advanced gum disease can be managed with treatment such as scaling and root planing and regular periodontal maintenance.
Is gum disease painful?
Often not. The disease advances silently and often without pain, so watch for bleeding gums and bad breath.
Is gum disease linked to other health problems?
Research has shown links between gum disease and stroke, heart disease and diabetes. Pregnant women can also be affected because the immune system is weakened.
How many appointments does a deep cleaning take?
Deep scaling and root planing is usually broken down into one section of the mouth per appointment. We'll tell you how many visits your treatment plan needs.
Does insurance cover gum disease treatment?
Many plans provide some coverage. We accept most PPO plans and offer in-house plans and third-party financing with no credit check to qualify.
Schedule a Gum Disease Exam in Orlando
Call Strategic Dental Care immediately at 407-284-1645 to schedule an appointment if you think you have gum disease, or contact us.
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