Gum disease treatment and deep cleaning in Kendall

If your gums bleed when you brush, look swollen or seem to be pulling back, it may be gum disease. In the early stages it rarely hurts, so many people find out late. Treated in time, it helps you keep your teeth. At PureSmile in Kendall, we measure the health of your gums, explain what we see and give you the plan and price in writing before we start.

Signs it is time for a checkup

• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss.
• Red, swollen or tender gums.
• Bad breath or a bad taste that does not go away.
• Receding gums and teeth that look longer.
• Teeth that feel loose or have shifted.

Gingivitis and periodontitis

Gingivitis is the early stage: the gum is inflamed, but the bone is not affected yet. It can often be reversed with a professional cleaning and good home care. Periodontitis is more advanced: the gum pulls away from the tooth and forms pockets where tartar and bacteria build up, and the bone that holds the tooth can be lost. At that point a regular cleaning is not enough.

What we do

1. Exam: we measure your gum pockets with a small probe and take X-rays to check the bone.
2. Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing): with local anesthesia, we remove tartar and bacteria below the gumline and smooth the roots so the gums can reattach.
3. Re-evaluation: a few weeks later we check how your gums have responded.
4. Periodontal maintenance: follow-up cleanings every few months, as your dentist recommends, to keep the disease from progressing.

If your case needs gum surgery or grafts, we refer you to a periodontist (gum specialist) and continue your maintenance here.

Your gums and your overall health

Gum disease and diabetes affect each other: managing one helps manage the other. If you take medications, have diabetes or are pregnant, let us know and we will take it into account in your plan.

How long is the appointment?

• First visit and exam: about 45 to 60 minutes.
• Deep cleaning: usually done by areas of the mouth over two visits. We tell you how long each one takes after your exam.
• Follow-up checkup: about 15 to 30 minutes.

Does insurance cover it?

Many PPO dental plans and many Medicare plans with dental benefits cover part of a deep cleaning and maintenance. We check your plan for free before your visit and give you the price in writing. If you pay directly, you also get the price in writing before we start.

Frequently asked questions

Does a deep cleaning hurt?

It is done with local anesthesia in the area being treated, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. It is normal for your gums to feel sensitive for a few days afterward.

Why isn't a regular cleaning enough?

A regular cleaning removes tartar above the gumline. When there are pockets, tartar and bacteria are below the gum, stuck to the root, and that area needs to be cleaned and smoothed.

How many visits does it take?

It is usually done by areas of the mouth over two visits, followed by a checkup to see how your gums respond. We confirm this after your exam.

Does insurance cover it?

Many PPO dental plans and many Medicare plans with dental benefits cover part of a deep cleaning, at different percentages. We check your plan for free before your visit.

Who treats me?

Our general dentist and our hygienist. If your case needs gum surgery, we refer you to a periodontist and continue your maintenance here.

Do you speak Spanish?

Yes, our whole team speaks English and Spanish.

Learn more

• Teeth cleaning in Kendall
• General and family dentistry