Periodontal Care And Deep Cleanings
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and the reason it does so much damage is that it rarely hurts until it is advanced. Most people who have it do not know they have it.
The good news is that in its early stages it is completely reversible, and even after it has progressed, it can usually be brought under control and kept there.
What Gum Disease Actually Is
Your mouth contains an enormous amount of bacteria, and that is normal. The problem starts when plaque is left on the teeth long enough to harden into tartar, which cannot be brushed off. Tartar sitting at and below the gumline keeps bacteria in constant contact with your gum tissue, and your body responds with inflammation.
Gingivitis
The early stage. Gums are red, puffy, and bleed when you brush or floss. There is no bone loss yet. At this stage a thorough professional cleaning plus consistent home care will typically reverse it completely.
Periodontitis
The later stage. The inflammation has moved past the gum tissue and started destroying the bone that holds your teeth in place. Pockets form between tooth and gum where a toothbrush cannot reach. Bone lost at this stage does not grow back, which is why we treat aggressively to stop the process rather than waiting.
Signs You May Have Gum Disease
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gum tissue
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste that does not clear
- Gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth
- Teeth that look longer than they used to
- A tooth that feels slightly loose or has shifted position
- A change in how your teeth fit together when you bite
One point worth making clearly: if your gums bleed when you floss, that is a reason to floss more, not less. Bleeding is a sign of inflammation, and the floss is not causing it. In most cases the bleeding decreases within a couple of weeks of consistent flossing.
Scaling And Root Planing
When gum disease has progressed past what a routine cleaning addresses, the treatment is scaling and root planing, commonly called a deep cleaning. Instead of cleaning only what is above the gumline, we clean the root surfaces below it, where the bacteria and hardened deposits actually are.
We numb the area with local anesthetic first. This is not primarily about pain during the procedure. It is so that the hygienist can work thoroughly on the root surfaces without holding back out of concern for hurting you, and the result is a better cleaning. Treatment is usually split across two visits, one side of the mouth at a time.
Afterward, gums are commonly a little tender for a day or two, and some patients notice temporary sensitivity to cold as inflamed tissue tightens back against the tooth. Taking ibuprofen an hour before your appointment, as long as your physician has not advised against it, makes the whole experience more comfortable.
Periodontal Maintenance
Once you have had bone loss or pocketing, the standard six-month cleaning interval is generally not enough. Bacteria repopulate those pockets on roughly a three-month cycle, and periodontal maintenance every three months is designed to interrupt that cycle before it does more damage.
This is not us selling extra visits. It is that the interval has to match the biology of what is happening in your mouth. Patients who commit to the three-month schedule after treatment hold onto their teeth. Patients who drift back to twice a year generally lose ground.
We will also use digital x-rays to track bone levels over time, which tells us whether what we are doing is working.
Gum Disease And The Rest Of Your Health
Your mouth is a port of entry to the bloodstream. Research has linked untreated periodontal disease with a range of serious conditions including diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and stroke. The relationship runs in both directions with diabetes in particular, where uncontrolled blood sugar worsens gum disease and gum disease makes blood sugar harder to control.
Smoking deserves its own mention. Smoking does not appear to cause more cavities, but it clearly makes gum disease worse and harder to treat, and it also affects restorative options later. Failed dental implants are roughly twice as likely in smokers. If you smoke, regular checkups matter more for you rather than less.
If it has been a while since your last visit, or someone has told you that you need a deep cleaning and you have been putting it off, contact our office. We are at 6900 Daniels Parkway, Suite 30, just off the Daniels exit at I-75.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have gum disease?
Bleeding gums are the most common early sign, but the only reliable way to know is measurement. At your exam we probe the depth of the space between each tooth and the gum. Healthy readings are generally one to three millimeters. Deeper readings, especially combined with bleeding, indicate periodontal disease and tell us how far along it is.
Is a deep cleaning painful?
The procedure itself should not be, because we numb the area first. Expect some tenderness for a day or two afterward, which over-the-counter pain relief handles well. If you are feeling anything during the appointment, tell your hygienist rather than tolerating it.
Can gum disease be cured?
Why do I need cleanings every three months instead of six?
Because the bacteria in periodontal pockets rebuild on about a three-month cycle. The interval is chosen to disrupt that process. Once your gums have been stable for a sustained period, we may be able to extend it, and that is a conversation we will have based on your actual readings.
Will my insurance cover scaling and root planing?
My gums bleed but nothing hurts. Is that still a problem?
Can I treat gum disease at home?
Kind Words From Recent Patients
Daniels Parkway Dental
6900 Daniels Parkway #30, Fort Myers
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This is a fantastic dental office. The staff and Doctors are top notch and punctual. They take the time to answer questions and always make me feel comfortable.
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Just had my first filling in 51 yrs Dr Shelly King explained the procedure & did an excellent job.hopefully i wouldnt have a cavity for another 51yrs.highly recommend them not a franchise. Non commission based employees.
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I was referred to Dr Shelly and her dental assistant Amanda by my daughter in law who is very pleased with their caring professional dental care. I am also very pleased as well. The receptionists are pleasant and professional. This is truly … More a family business who treats their patients just exactly like that. Thank you Dr Shelly and Team! Shirley Pine
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Dr. Bryant King is a very caring, detailed dentist. He has a wonderful bedside manner and explains everything and gives options for patients to consider. He is also very willing to give prices & estimates for any & all options so … More that the patient can make an intelligent decision as to what is best for the patient. I highly recommend Dr. Bryant. The staff are also very efficient and personable. Madeleine Dougherty, patient
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Dr. Shelly & Dr. Bryant King(s) have been my dentists for over twenty years. The doctors and staff have consistently provided professional, friendly and quality work for every visit. Their office is extremely clean and everyone's … More attention to detail, from cleanings to insurance to all things dental keeps me coming back and referring them again and again. Dr. Shelly has a jiggle technique that will make any dentaphobe at ease. I feel very fortunate to have found these wonderful people who make me feel so taking care of.
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As a new patient, I have been very impressed with being able to get an appointment easily, and happy with the efficiency and pleasant atmosphere, and mostly happy with my “new” tooth.
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Let me start by saying the BEST EXPERIENCE EVER! Two different appointments, xrays and filling. NO CHARGE. The Doctor was so kind and did not hurt at all. Things that he told me that I wish others would have been as honest and forthcoming … More as he. Wonderful staff. I would highly recommend this Dentist. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!
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This is by far the BEST visit ever to a dentist office. They were so nice, explained the procedure throughly so there were no surprises. Starting with my phone call to their office and up until I left everyone made the experience amazing. … More If your looking for a dentist this is the office to call... Happy teeth work
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Daniels Dental and Dr. Bryant King provided a great experience when I had a crown fall out. Getting an appointment was prompt, the staff was friendly, very helpful and efficient. Dr. King and the Technician were knowledgeable, friendly, … More efficient, skilled and gentle. Best dental experience I’ve had.
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Hands down Daniels Parkway Dental gets 5⭐️! The staff is friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable, and provides some of the best bedside manner I’ve ever experienced. Dr. Shelly, Dee, Amanda and staff went above and beyond to ensure that I wasn’t … More in any pain during my dental procedure and communicated with me what they were doing the entire time.
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The dentist is amazing having professional attitude and always giving care necessary for appropriate needs. The staff are professional as well as friendly, kind and gentle. Positive vibes from all in this dental office! 👍
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I cannot begin to express how WONDERFUL my experience is Every time i need to go to the DDS. Daniels Parkway Dental is the best. They have brought back good ole fashion bedside manner. Everyone in that office gets a 5 ⭐️ review. From the … More moment you check in to the moment they finish the dental procedure. Dr Shelly and Dr King are constantly checking on you throughout the process and explain in detail everything they are doing and making sure you are not feeling any discomfort. This also includes their FABULOUS DENTAL HYGIENIST “Keely” (the best, bar none!!!!)
Fort Myers is LUCKY, EXTREMELY LUCKY to have them in our area (even though if they were farther i would still go to them) I also want to give the Dental Assistant recognition for how extremely well she worked with Dr Shelly they were a perfect team.
So in conclusion if you are looking for a Dental Office and want great work done LOOK NO FURTHER!!!! Than Daniels Parkway Dental Office!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely
Alex Gonzalo. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 -
Dr. Shelly King was wonderful. The best experience. Very caring and explained everything. Absolutely no pain or anxiety. I would highly recommend. The office staff was great too!
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Great dentist office. The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. The dentist isn't quick to jump to fillings for children with tiny cavities that could heal or cavities in a baby tooth that's coming out soon. The hygienist … More we see if very respectful of the decisions we make regarding fluoride. They are a wonderful family own practice and Dr. Bryant and Dr. Shelley are so great with our family.
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Had an urgent need for an appointment (my porcelain crown fell out over holiday weekend). Being fairly new to the area and not having a regular dentist, I took a chance & stopped into Daniels Parkway Dental to see if I could get an … More appointment in the next few days. To my surprise they had an opening later that day. First let me say I was so impressed when I walked in to a beautiful bright well appointed clean office and warmly greeted by the friendly knowledgeable staff. Went ahead and took my insurance info (which they are filing for me so I can be reimbursed) and did all the paperwork. I say this because my time in the waiting area I noticed the pleased patients checking out and others coming in. Coming from up north who had a very modern excellent local dentist, Daniel Parkway Dental reminded me of what was left behind. And confirmed by the excellent medical care by Dr Shelly King. Both her & her assistant were gentle yet professional. In a layman’s eyes like myself I thought “just glue it back”, I’m so glad I didn’t try a do it yourself nor go to one of those “doc in a box” popping up on every corner. It was a very intricate procedure taking time to make sure the bites correct. Someone without much experience could have broken the tiny pins my old dentist had made. Or would have easily said I need a new one meaning lots of $$$$$. It was divine steering which brought me to Daniel Parkway Dental. A local family dentistry who’s been around for 20 years and not going anywhere. This evening I was able to enjoy my food and would never know it had fallen out few days ago. I’m so glad I’ve found a dental practice I can trust & look forward to going back for routine care for myself & my husband.
Thank you again Dr Shelly King & staff🤗
Contact Our Office
For immediate assistance or scheduling please contact our office directly at (239) 337-5464. All online inquiries are responded to within 24 hours.