Gum Disease Treatment in Mobile, AL

Bleeding gums are not normal — they're one of the earliest signs of gum disease. Healthy gums don't bleed with normal brushing and flossing. If your gums bleed regularly, schedule an appointment so we can evaluate what's causing it. In many cases, improved home care combined with a thorough cleaning is all that's needed.

That's exactly the problem — gum disease is usually painless until it's advanced. Bleeding when you brush, puffy or receding gums, persistent bad breath, and teeth that feel loose are all warning signs. But many patients have active gum disease with no symptoms at all. That's why measuring your gum pockets at every exam matters — it's the only reliable way to catch it early before bone loss becomes significant.

Gum disease is caused by bacterial buildup — plaque and tartar — along and below the gumline that triggers inflammation in the gum tissue and surrounding bone. The most common contributors are inconsistent brushing and flossing, smoking, diabetes, dry mouth, certain medications, and genetics. Some patients do everything right and still develop gum disease because of how their immune system responds to bacteria.

Scaling and root planing (sometimes called a deep cleaning) is a non-surgical procedure to treat active gum disease. We remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooth the root surfaces so the gums can reattach and bacteria have less surface area to cling to. It's typically done in two appointments — one side of the mouth at a time — with local anesthetic so you're comfortable throughout.

Scaling and root planing is performed with local anesthesia, so the procedure itself should be comfortable. After treatment, you may experience some soreness, sensitivity, or mild bleeding for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers and a soft diet usually manage this well. Most patients are surprised at how much more comfortable it is than they expected.

Gum disease doesn't go away on its own. Without treatment, the infection progresses — gum pockets deepen, bone is destroyed, and teeth can loosen and eventually be lost. Gum disease has also been linked to systemic health issues including heart disease, diabetes complications, and stroke. Treating it early is almost always simpler and less expensive than waiting.

Gingivitis (the earliest stage) is completely reversible with professional treatment and improved home care. More advanced periodontitis cannot be fully "cured" — but it can be controlled. With proper treatment and consistent periodontal maintenance appointments, most patients successfully stop the progression of the disease and keep their teeth for life.

For scaling and root planing, we typically treat the mouth in two appointments — two quadrants at a time, spaced about one week apart. After completing active treatment, we schedule a re-evaluation 4–6 weeks later to assess how your gums have responded. From there, we establish your ongoing periodontal maintenance schedule.

Not right away — and this surprises a lot of patients. After scaling and root planing, you'll be placed on a perio maintenance schedule, typically every 3–4 months. Perio maintenance is different from a routine prophy cleaning — it includes monitoring your gum pockets, cleaning below the gumline, and making sure the disease stays controlled. Most insurance plans cover perio maintenance at 80% rather than 100%, and many only cover 2 visits per year even though 3–4 is the clinical standard. We'll help you understand what your plan covers and what to expect out of pocket so there are no surprises.

Most dental insurance plans cover scaling and root planing, typically at 50–80% after the deductible. Coverage for periodontal maintenance varies by plan. We'll verify your benefits before treatment and give you a clear cost estimate. If you don't have insurance, ask about our financing options.

The majority of gum disease cases can be treated effectively at a general dental office. We handle non-surgical periodontal treatment in-house. If your case is severe or involves significant bone loss requiring surgical intervention, we will refer you to a trusted periodontist in the Mobile area. We'll always be transparent with you about what level of care your situation requires.