Gum Disease and Bleeding Gums Treatment in Nyack, NY

Gums that stop bleeding, and teeth that stay where they are.

Gum disease is an infection of the tissue and bone holding your teeth in place, and bleeding gums are usually its first sign. At our Nyack dental office it is treated with deep cleaning below the gum line, Perio Protect trays where they help, and a maintenance schedule that keeps it from coming back.

Why bleeding matters more than it seems

Healthy gums do not bleed when you brush. Bleeding means inflammation, and inflammation left alone becomes bone loss around the roots of your teeth. Gum tissue can recover, but bone that has gone does not grow back, which is the entire reason this is worth treating early rather than watching. It is also the most common reason people eventually lose teeth that were otherwise perfectly healthy.

How a deep cleaning works

A deep cleaning, sometimes called scaling and root planing, cleans the surfaces of the roots below the gum line where a regular cleaning cannot reach and where the bacteria causing the problem live. It is usually done in sections with the area numbed. Dr. Bodie will tell you how many visits you need during your consultation.

How to keep gum disease under control

Treatment gets the infection under control; maintenance keeps it there. That means cleanings three times a year rather than two, and for some patients Perio Protect trays, which hold medication against the gums at home between visits. Patients across Rockland County who have been told they will lose teeth are often surprised how much a stable routine changes the outlook.

How much does gum disease treatment cost in Nyack, NY?

Deep cleaning at our Nyack dental office is quoted according to how many areas of the mouth need treating, so you get the number before starting. Most dental plans contribute toward it. The Perio Wellness Plan is $688 a year and includes three maintenance visits plus 25% off deep cleaning.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums and, as it advances, of the bone that holds your teeth in place. Early gum disease shows as red, swollen or bleeding gums. Advanced gum disease shows as gum recession, loose teeth and bone loss around the roots.

Does deep cleaning hurt?

Deep cleaning involves minimal discomfort because the area is numbed first, and patients regularly say Dr. Bodie is gentle with injections because he takes them slowly. Some tenderness for a day afterward is normal and settles quickly.

Can gum disease be reversed?

Early gum disease is genuinely reversible with treatment and better daily cleaning. Once bone has been lost around the roots, that bone does not come back, and the goal shifts to stopping any further loss. That difference is exactly why bleeding gums are worth acting on now.

How many appointments does gum treatment take?

Gum treatment usually takes two appointments for the deep cleaning, treating one side of the mouth at a time, followed by a review a few weeks later. Maintenance visits then continue three times a year.

What happens if I ignore bleeding gums?

Ignoring bleeding gums lets the inflammation spread below the gum line, where it starts destroying the bone around your teeth. That process is silent and gives no warning until teeth begin to loosen, by which point the damage cannot be undone. It is the leading reason adults lose teeth.

Gum Treatment at a Glance

  • Bleeding stops, and the teeth you still have stay in place
  • Deep cleaning below the gum line, where a normal cleaning cannot reach
  • Perio Protect trays to keep treatment working between visits
  • Three maintenance visits a year covered by the $688 Perio Wellness Plan

Aftercare instructions (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • My gums bleed every time I brush. Is that normal?

    No, bleeding when you brush is not normal. At this stage, it is the version of the problem that is easiest to fix and costs the least to treat. Don’t wait until it has progressed to seek treatment.

  • Will I lose my teeth if I have gum disease?

    Not necessarily. Bone already lost stays lost, but further loss can very often be stopped. Come in and let Dr. Bodie show you your own x-rays and tell you honestly where you stand.

  • Is a deep cleaning just an expensive normal cleaning?

    No. A regular cleaning works above the gum line; a deep cleaning goes below it, onto the root surfaces where the bacteria actually are. They treat different things.

  • Do I really need to come three times a year if I have gum disease?

    If you have been treated for gum disease, yes, and it is the single thing that keeps the result. The Perio tier of the Wellness Plan is built around that schedule for exactly this reason.

  • Is gum disease my fault?

    Not necessarily, and it is not a useful way to think about it. Genetics, smoking, diabetes and medication all play a part. What matters now is stopping it.

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