Periodontal Services & Deep Cleanings in Fort Myers

Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) is a bacterial infection that causes chronic and progressive inflammation of the gums. If left untreated, gum disease damages gum and bone tissue and eventually results in the loss of one or more teeth. Dr. Reyes-Viruet helps save patients’ teeth through expert treatment, including minimally invasive laser gum treatment.

A person’s overall health is also negatively impacted by gum disease. Research has shown that untreated gum disease can lead to severe health complications, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis and adverse effects to developing babies of pregnant women.

Skilled, Experienced Specialist

Being a periodontist, Dr. Reyes-Viruet is a specialist in the treatment of gum disease. Her extensive knowledge allows her to treat patients using advanced, minimally invasive procedures which create optimal health for teeth, gums and bone.

In many cases Dr. Reyes-Viruet can even reverse the damage caused by the disease through regenerative techniques. By knowing how to prevent and treat the effects of gum disease, she is able to save teeth that may have otherwise been lost.

Who should visit a periodontist?

Dr. Reyes-Viruet provides treatment options for patients with mild to severe gum disease. People with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, smokers and pregnant women are at a much higher risk and can especially benefit from Dr. Reyes-Viruet’s skillful evaluating, diagnosing and treating of gum disease. Dr. Reyes-Viruet addresses everything that a patient’s gum disease could be affecting and consults with your physician to make sure any concerning symptoms found during her treatment are managed.

Do you have Gum Disease?

Patients are often unaware of gum disease because it doesn’t cause pain until it is too late. Statistics have shown that about half of the population over the age of 30 are affected to some degree, while about 70 percent of those over the age of 65 have it. Symptoms include:

• Bleeding during brushing and flossing

• Red and swollen gums

• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth

• Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth

• Loose teeth

• Any change in the way your teeth fit together

• Gum recession

If you are experiencing any of the above, make an appointment to see Dr. Reyes-Viruet for an expert evaluation and diagnosis today!

What’s the secret to fighting gum disease?

The secret to successfully fighting gum disease is good oral hygiene and a very thorough yet gentle cleaning. Our dental hygienist will perform scaling and root planning to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth as well as the surface of the roots. This is also known as deep cleaning. It may be done with an ultrasonic instrument or manual scaling tools and may require one or more visits to ensure a thorough job is done.

Ideally, after this deep cleaning appointment, the bacteria in the pockets of the teeth will be removed and in the next few weeks the gums should become healthier if the person is doing good oral hygiene on a daily basis. Our hygienists will teach you how to properly floss and brush to prevent further gum disease. We will then see you for periodontal maintenance on a 3 or 6 month rotational basis to help you win the battle on gum disease.

Dr. Reyes-Viruet offers a free screening for gum disease.