4550 Eldorado Pkwy, Suite 107, McKinney, TX
Protecting Your Smile From the Ground Up
Most people focus on their teeth, but the gums that support them are just as important. Gum disease is one of the most prevalent dental conditions in the United States, and it's also one of the most underestimated. It develops quietly, often without pain, and by the time most patients notice something is wrong, it's already progressed beyond its earliest stage.
The good news is that gum disease is treatable, and at West McKinney Dental & Orthodontics, we detect it early, explain it clearly, and treat it effectively. Whether you're dealing with mild inflammation or have been told you need deeper intervention, our team will build a plan that fits your situation and gets your gum health back on track.
Your gums are the foundation your smile stands on. We take that seriously.
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What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease — also called periodontal disease — is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar along and below the gumline, where bacteria produce toxins that irritate and inflame the surrounding tissue.
Left untreated, gum disease progresses through two primary stages:
01.
Gingivitis — the early stage.
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease and the most reversible. At this stage, the gums become inflamed, red, and prone to bleeding — especially when brushing or flossing. There is typically no bone loss at this stage, and with professional treatment and improved home care, gingivitis can be fully resolved.
02.
Periodontitis — the advanced stage.
When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis — a more serious infection where the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that collect debris and become infected. Over time, the bone and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. This is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Beyond your mouth, research has linked advanced gum disease to systemic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, and complications during pregnancy. Treating gum disease is about more than saving teeth. It's about protecting your overall health.
Signs You May Have Gum Disease
Beyond your mouth, research has linked advanced gum disease to systemic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, and complications during pregnancy. Treating gum disease is about more than saving teeth. It's about protecting your overall health.
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gum tissue
- Gums that appear to be pulling away from your teeth (recession)
- Persistent bad breath that doesn't resolve with brushing
- Teeth that feel loose or have shifted position
- Sensitivity along the gumline
- Visible pus between the teeth and gums
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, don't wait for your next scheduled visit — call us. Early intervention makes a significant difference in both the complexity of treatment and the long-term outcome.
What to Expect During Gum Disease Treatment
If scaling and root planing has been recommended, here's what your treatment experience will look like at West McKinney Dental & Orthodontics:
Most patients experience mild soreness and sensitivity for a few days following treatment, which resolves on its own. Over-the-counter pain relievers and saltwater rinses are typically all that's needed for comfort during recovery.
01.
Consultation and Treatment Planning
Our team will review your periodontal evaluation findings with you, explain the recommended treatment in plain language, and answer every question you have. We'll map out how many appointments are needed and what each one will involve.
02.
Local Anesthesia
Before beginning, the treatment area will be thoroughly numbed so you're completely comfortable. You may feel pressure and movement, but you should not feel pain. If at any point something feels uncomfortable, let us know immediately.
03.
Scaling Below the Gumline
Using specialized instruments — both manual and ultrasonic — our team carefully removes all deposits from the tooth surfaces and within the periodontal pockets. This is the most detailed part of the procedure and is done with precision to avoid disturbing healthy tissue.
04.
Root Planing
Root surfaces are smoothed to eliminate rough areas where bacteria tend to accumulate and to create a clean surface that encourages the gum tissue to reattach properly.
05.
Post-Treatment Instructions
Before you leave, our team will walk you through what to expect over the next few days, any dietary recommendations, and how to care for the treated area at home. This guidance is an important part of your recovery and your long-term results.
06.
Follow-Up Evaluation
Four to six weeks after your deep cleaning, we'll schedule a follow-up visit to measure your pocket depths again and assess how your gums are healing. This determines whether the treatment has achieved the desired results or whether additional steps are needed.
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
For patients with periodontitis or moderate gum disease, scaling and root planing is the most common and effective first line of treatment. It's a deeper, more thorough version of a routine cleaning, performed below the gumline where regular cleanings can't reach.
During the procedure, our team will:
- Scaling — remove plaque, tartar, and bacterial deposits from the surfaces of the tooth roots, reaching down into the periodontal pockets
- Planing — smooth the root surfaces to make it more difficult for bacteria to reattach and easier for the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth
Scaling and root planing is typically performed in quadrants — one section of the mouth at a time, with local anesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout. Most patients require two appointments to complete the full mouth treatment.
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Your Gum Health Is Worth Taking Seriously. Let's Get Started.
Whether you've noticed warning signs at home, been told you have gum disease at a previous dental office, or simply want to know where your gum health stands — we're here to help. Our team will evaluate your periodontal health thoroughly, explain exactly what we find, and recommend the most appropriate path forward.
New patients welcome. We see patients of all ages and all gum health histories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is gum disease really that serious?
Yes — more than most people realize. Beyond tooth loss, advanced gum disease has been clinically linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, and preterm birth. Treating it is about far more than your mouth.
Q. Can gum disease be cured?
Gingivitis — the earliest stage — can be completely reversed with professional treatment and improved home care. Advanced periodontitis cannot be cured, but it can be effectively managed and stabilized with consistent professional care and proper home hygiene, preventing further progression.
Q. Does a deep cleaning hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the appointment — just pressure and movement. Afterward, it's normal to experience mild soreness and sensitivity for a few days. Most patients find this very manageable with over-the-counter pain relief and saltwater rinses.
Q. How is a deep cleaning different from a regular cleaning?
A regular cleaning — called a prophylaxis — focuses on cleaning the surfaces of the teeth above and just at the gumline. Scaling and root planing go significantly deeper, cleaning below the gumline along the tooth roots and inside the periodontal pockets where disease-causing bacteria live. It's a different procedure for a different problem.
Q. How long does a deep cleaning take?
Treatment is typically divided into two appointments — one side of the mouth per visit. Each appointment generally takes 60 to 90 minutes. This allows the treatment to be thorough without being overwhelming, and gives your mouth time to begin healing between sessions.
Q. Will my insurance cover gum disease treatment?
Most dental insurance plans provide some coverage for scaling and root planing, though the extent varies by plan. Our team will verify your benefits before treatment begins and walk you through exactly what's covered and what your estimated out-of-pocket cost will be. We never want the cost to come as a surprise.
Q. My gums used to bleed, but they don't anymore — does that mean I'm fine?
Not necessarily. As gum disease progresses, the tissue can sometimes stop bleeding even as the underlying infection worsens. Bleeding stopping on its own is not a reliable sign that everything is healthy — a clinical evaluation is the only way to know for sure.
Q. How often will I need to come in after gum disease treatment?
Most patients who've been treated for periodontal disease transition to a maintenance schedule of every three to four months. This is an important part of keeping the disease stable and preventing it from progressing again. Over time, some patients may be able to return to a standard six-month schedule depending on how well their gum health is maintained.
Q. I've had gum disease for years and never treated it. Is it too late?
It's never too late to start. While advanced bone and tissue loss that has already occurred cannot be reversed, treatment can stop the progression, stabilize the condition, and protect the teeth you still have. Our team will be honest with you about where things stand and what's realistically achievable.