Gum disease is one of the most common reasons adults lose teeth, and it quietly affects a large portion of the population. Many people experience some degree of periodontal inflammation by middle age, often without noticeable pain. At True Vine Dental Care in Longwood, FL, we focus on preventing small problems from becoming irreversible ones by combining thorough exams, targeted treatment, and ongoing maintenance.
Healthy teeth rely on more than just enamel and crowns — they depend on the periodontium, the complex of gum tissue, periodontal ligament, and jawbone that stabilizes each tooth. When bacteria collect along the gumline and harden into calculus (tartar), the body responds with inflammation. Over time, that inflammatory response can damage the very tissues meant to protect your teeth.
Because early periodontal disease is frequently painless, routine dental visits are essential. During an exam we check pocket depths, look for gum recession, assess tooth mobility, and evaluate signs of inflammation so we can identify disease before it advances.
Knowing what to watch for helps patients act sooner. Persistent bleeding during brushing, swollen or tender gums, or a dull ache when chewing are signals that your periodontium needs attention. The sooner an issue is recognized, the more predictable and less invasive the treatment can be.
Red or swollen gums that don’t improve with regular brushing
Bleeding during brushing or flossing, even with gentle care
Gums that appear to pull away from teeth, exposing root surfaces
Increased tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods
Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth
Noticeable spacing, loose teeth, or changes in how your bite fits together
Any discharge or soreness around the gumline that doesn’t resolve
Oral inflammation doesn’t stay confined to the mouth. Research over recent decades has shown associations between periodontal disease and conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory concerns. While the exact relationships are complex, reducing oral infection and inflammation is a smart step toward overall health.
Preventive strategies—regular professional cleanings, consistent home care, and prompt treatment of early disease—help lower bacterial load and inflammation. These measures support both dental stability and broader well-being.
When periodontal treatment is coordinated with primary medical care, patients often experience better control of systemic conditions that interact with oral health. Our team works with patients to ensure periodontal care complements their overall health plan.
Gingivitis is the reversible stage of gum disease: the gums are inflamed but the underlying bone has not yet been lost. At this point, professional cleaning combined with improved at-home habits usually returns the tissues to health. Early recognition is the key — bleeding, tenderness, or persistent redness are common indicators.
Treatment for gingivitis typically focuses on removing plaque and tartar above and just below the gumline and reinforcing effective brushing and flossing techniques. We’ll also recommend the right tools and schedule follow-up visits to confirm healing.
Addressing gingivitis promptly reduces the chance it will progress to destructive disease. With consistent care, most people regain healthy, resilient gum tissue and can avoid more complex procedures later on.
Once gum disease progresses to periodontitis, the connective fibers and bone that anchor teeth can be compromised. Deepening periodontal pockets, gum recession, and bone loss are common features of this stage. The primary aim of treatment is to stop disease activity, preserve supporting structures, and restore healthy contours when possible.
Management may include mechanical cleaning below the gumline, local or systemic antimicrobial agents, and, when necessary, surgical access for more thorough debridement. In some cases tissue- or bone-regenerating procedures are used to rebuild lost support and improve long-term prognosis.
Controlling contributing factors—such as smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, or inadequate oral hygiene—is also critical. A coordinated approach that combines clinical therapy with patient-centered prevention gives the best chance of maintaining natural teeth for years to come.
Periodontal care today uses a range of evidence-based options tailored to disease severity. For many patients, scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) removes bacterial deposits from root surfaces and reduces pocket depths. Antimicrobial rinses or localized antibiotic placements can be helpful adjuncts when indicated.
When pockets are too deep for non-surgical therapy to reach, surgical procedures may be advised to gain access, reshape damaged tissues, and, when appropriate, place grafts to restore bone or soft tissue. Minimally invasive techniques, and in select cases laser therapy, can reduce discomfort and speed recovery.
Beyond tissue repair, modern periodontal treatment also plans for future restorative needs. For example, rebuilding bone may create a more stable foundation for implants, while careful soft-tissue management improves both function and appearance.
Every treatment plan starts with a thorough assessment: charting pocket depths, examining X-rays for bone levels, and reviewing medical history and daily habits that influence healing. These data guide a customized program that balances effectiveness, comfort, and long-term maintenance.
Conservative, non-surgical options are preferred when they can reliably control disease. If deeper intervention is required, we explain the rationale, expected outcomes, and maintenance steps that follow. Our goal is to restore periodontal health and make it manageable for patients to maintain.
At True Vine Dental Care we emphasize clear communication, patient education, and collaborative decision-making so you understand each step and feel confident in your care plan.
When disease is identified early or is localized, non-surgical measures can often control infection and promote healing. This includes professional scaling and root planing to remove plaque and calculus from root surfaces and to smooth irregularities that harbor bacteria.
In many cases, these procedures are paired with oral hygiene coaching and, if appropriate, local antiseptics or antibiotics to reduce bacterial load and support tissue recovery. Regular maintenance visits are essential to sustain progress.
Non-surgical care is the least invasive pathway to periodontal health and is the foundation of almost every treatment program.
When pockets are deep or anatomy prevents thorough cleaning, surgical access allows clinicians to remove bacterial deposits, reshape the supporting bone and tissue, and reestablish healthier contours. Flap procedures are commonly used to gain direct access to root surfaces and bone.
Regenerative therapies, including bone and soft-tissue grafts, can rebuild lost support in specific situations. These procedures aim to restore function and create a stable environment that patients can maintain with daily care and periodic professional visits.
Adjunctive tools such as lasers or locally delivered antimicrobials can be incorporated when clinically appropriate, always with the objective of long-term preservation of natural teeth and oral health.
In summary, periodontal treatment combines prevention, targeted therapy, and long-term maintenance to protect the tissues that support your smile. If you’re noticing symptoms or want a thorough assessment, please contact our team to learn more about options and next steps.
Most people don’t realize that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two adults over the age of 30 in the United States has periodontal disease.
You may be surprised to learn that the human mouth is home to a wide variety of microbes. The fact is that over 700 different strains of bacteria have been detected in the oral cavity. Although some of these bacteria are beneficial, others are harmful to oral health. Without proper oral hygiene and routine dental care, these harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, compromising both your oral health and overall wellbeing.
In addition to inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent professional care, other factors, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes, can contribute to the escalation of periodontal disease.
Your gums and teeth have an interdependent relationship, which means healthy teeth depend on the support of healthy gums. Also, taking care of your smile does more than keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition; good oral health also supports systemic health. In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, researchers are finding more and more links between periodontal disease and a number of medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term and low birth-weight babies.
If you notice that your gums are bleeding with the slightest pressure while brushing or flossing, it’s a sign of gingivitis. Although gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, it can easily be reversed with deeper cleanings as well as an improved regimen of oral hygiene at home.
In the absence of professional treatment and better home care, gingivitis progresses to the next stage, which is known as periodontitis. In this stage, the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place begin to break down with an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. Without proper treatment by your dentist, periodontitis will progress from a mild to moderate loss of supporting tissue to the destruction of the bone around the teeth.
Although gingivitis can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, as periodontal disease advances, more extensive procedures are required to halt its progression. Based on a complete assessment of your periodontal health and a review of possible contributing factors, our office will recommend the best options in care. Treatment for periodontitis may include a series of deeper cleanings known as root planing and scaling, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depth, bone or tissue grafts, laser procedures, or antimicrobial medications.
The cost of care depends on the type of procedures required to restore your periodontal health. If you have dental insurance, plans often cover treatment to prevent gum disease as well as many procedures to treat the various stages of gum disease. Our goal is to help patients restore and maintain good oral health. We do all we can to help you begin care without additional stress or delay. Our business office works with you to maximize your benefits and provide easier, more convenient payment options.
By seeing our office regularly for care and doing your best to eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, you can keep your smile in tip-top shape as well as protect your overall wellbeing.
At the office of True Vine Dental Care, we provide a comprehensive range of services to address all your oral healthcare needs. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands at our office. Our skilled and experienced team maintains a position at the forefront of advances in care and remains dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate treatment.