New Patients (321) 614-3833

Current Patients (321) 631-9395

5600 Porada Dr. Suite 101 Viera, FL 32940

Gum Disease Viera, FL

Helping patients maintain healthy gums is an important part of our preventive dental care program at Smile Viera in Viera, FL. Dr. Roppa and Dr. Marshall-Roppa screen for periodontal disease at every routine dental visit and offer personalized hygiene recommendations for those with chronic gum disease. They emphasize the important role that healthy gums play in helping to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible.

Gum disease affects nearly 3/4 of adults and remains the leading cause of tooth loss today. Late stage gum disease is preventable with routine dental care which enables Dr. Roppa and Dr. Marshall-Roppa to identify and address early signs of disease before permanent damage is done.

Stages of Gum Disease

gum disease treatment viera flDuring your routine screening, we look for the signs of gum disease, hoping to catch it early and offer conservative treatment options. We can also discuss preventive oral hygiene based on your personal lifestyle habits that may increase your risk of disease, such as smoking.

Gingivitis: early stage gum disease, gingivitis is typically easy to treat but may require additional at home care to prevent it from returning. Patients with recurring gingivitis may benefit from more frequent dental cleanings in our dentist office.
Periodontitis: advanced gum disease, periodontitis can cause permanent damage to gum tissue and weaken the teeth. This often requires intensive treatment to address damage and restore oral health.

Common Signs of Gum Disease

  • Red, swollen and/or tender gums
  • Bleeding gums
  • Shifting of teeth or loose teeth
  • Receding gums
  • Bad breath
  • Changes in the fit of dentures

Recent studies have shown the relationship between periodontal disease and an increased risk for developing or being more severely affected by cardiovascular and systemic diseases. When caught early, conservative treatment can be effective and quickly restore oral health.

Treating Periodontal Disease

Dr. Roppa or Dr. Marshall-Roppa will asses your gum health and recommend any necessary treatment if disease is present. Treatment may consist of both in office procedures and at home care to keep the gums healthy for the long term.

Periodontal therapy is often dependent on the stage of gum disease and can be as simple as a thorough dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar.

More intensive treatment can include:

  • Scaling and root planing: an in office procedure that will thoroughly remove plaque and tartar from the deep pockets along the gum line.
  • Anti-bacterial rinses: used as part of your at home oral hygiene, these products can minimize bacteria in the mouth to keep gum disease from recurring.
  • Laser dentistry: We may use a dental laser to remove diseased gum tissue and restore your oral health. Laser dentistry provides effective, accurate treatment with less pain, bleeding and down time.

gum disease and overall health viera flRecent studies have shown an association between gum disease and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, low birth weight and systemic disease. Because gum disease can have an adverse effect on your over-all health, Dr. Roppa and Dr. Marshall-Roppa strongly suggest getting professional dental cleanings at least every six months.

Healthy gums serve as a protective barrier between the over the many types of bacteria in the mouth and your bloodstream, which can transport them around the body. Poor gum health enables bacteria to affect your overall health and lead to inflammation that causes a wide range of problems.

Ultimately, patients with advanced and untreated gum disease are at greater risk for developing cardiovascular and systemic disease such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. For those already suffering with these health problems, poor gum health can increase the severity of their symptoms and make their disease difficult to manage and treat effectively.

Studies continue to evaluate the proven oral-systemic connection and the relationship between inflammation in the body and the incidence of disease. A healthy mouth can be the foundation of overall health and wellness.

The “simple” act of visiting with us twice a year has many benefits for your health- and your quality of life.