About Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums, which gradually leads to the destruction of the support of your natural teeth. This disease affects more than 80% of Americans by the age of 45.
Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease. Bacteria found in plaque produce enzymes and toxins which injure the gums. Injured gums turn red, swell and bleed easily.
If this injury is prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets (spaces) to form.
Plaque can also harden into a rough, porous substance known as calculus (tartar).
This can occur both above and below the gum line. As periodontal disease progresses, the supporting gum tissue and bone that holds the teeth in place deteriorate.
If left untreated, this leads to tooth loss. Pain is usually not present until damage from this disease is very advanced.
Good daily hygiene is key to preventing gum disease and protecting the investment you've made in your periodontal care.
We’ve prepared a visual, easy-to-follow guide—available in both English and Spanish—that outlines five simple steps to keep your smile healthy using tools like electric toothbrushes, specialty floss, and prescription toothpaste.
Download the 5 Steps to Keep Your Smile Healthy PDF (English)
Download the 5 Steps to Keep Your Smile Healthy PDF (Español)
Periodontal Health Effects
Studies have shown links between periodontal (gum) disease, heart disease and other health conditions.
Research further suggests that gum disease may be a more serious risk for heart disease, more so than hypertension, smoking, cholesterol, gender or age.
Researcher's conclusions suggest that bacteria present in infected gums can become loose and move throughout the body through the bloodstream. Once bacteria reaches the arteries, they can irritate them in the same way that they irritate gum tissue causing arterial plaque, which can cause hardening and affect blood-flow.
Stages Of Gum Disease
Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. Gingivitis develops as toxins, enzymes and other plaque byproducts by irritating the gums, making them tender, swollen and likely to bleed easily. Gingivitis generally can be stopped with proper oral hygiene and minor treatment from your dentist. If this is achieved, your gums can return to a healthy state.
Moderate gum disease is when the tooth's bone tissue starts to deteriorate. Periodontitis occurs when plaque byproducts destroy the tissues that anchor your teeth in the bone. The gums deteriorate and begin detaching themselves from the teeth forming gum pockets, which allows more plaque to collect below the gum line. This causes the roots of the teeth to become susceptible to decay. Generally, patients notice an increase in sensitivity to hot and cold and to touch.
Advanced periodontitis occurs when a major amount of gum and bone tissue has been lost and the teeth are losing more and more support due to the loss of periodontal ligament and bone. Some teeth are unable to be saved and must be extracted. If left untreated, advanced periodontitis can cause severe health problems elsewhere in the body.
Guided Biofilm Removal Therapy
In 2019, we were proud to be one of the first dental offices in the United States to offer the EMS Airflow System—an innovative advancement in dental technology designed to give you a cleaner, healthier smile. This advanced treatment uses Erythritol powder, a gentle yet highly effective cleaning agent, to remove harmful plaque biofilm from your teeth and gums more thoroughly than traditional methods. It’s safer, more comfortable, and less abrasive, making it ideal for both natural teeth and dental restorations.
This Swiss-Engineered technology targets biofilm (plaque) along the gumline while helping to balance the pH in your mouth, supporting improved overall oral health. It represents a significant step forward in modern periodontal care.
At our office, we’re committed to providing the highest standard of care. That’s why we continuously invest in advanced training and proven technology—so you leave with a smile that’s not just clean, but truly healthy.
Guided Biofilm Removal has been particularly effective for the precise and minimally invasive removal of biofilm, which is the primary cause of gum inflammation (gingivitis) and gum disease (periodontitis). By systematically targeting and removing harmful bacteria both above and below the gumline, biofilm removal helps reduce inflammation, promotes gum tissue healing, and is a cornerstone of long-term periodontal maintenance.
How it supports periodontal repair:
- Targeted biofilm removal
- Biofilm Visibilty: Therapy starts by using a disclosing agent to make bacterial biofilm visible. This allows the dental professional to identify and target bacteria-laden areas in need of cleaning, including tricky-to-reach spots.
- Reduced invasiveness: Unlike traditional scaling and root planing, which uses metal tools to scrape the tooth surface, the EMS AirFlow system uses a gentle stream of warm water, air, and fine erythritol powder. This approach is less invasive, protecting delicate gum tissue and root surfaces.
- Specialized cleaning for deep pockets
- Subgingival cleaning: For deeper periodontal pockets (4–9 mm), the system uses a specialized PERIOFLOW nozzle. This nozzle delivers the erythritol powder effectively and safely into deep pockets, where harmful bacteria accumulate, for a thorough, subgingival debridement.
- Reduced inflammation: By effectively removing biofilm from these periodontal pockets, it directly addresses the source of inflammation and infection. This helps reduce bleeding, swelling, and pocket depth.
- Gentle calculus removal
- Minimally invasive scaling: After the AirFlow and PerioFlow steps remove most of the biofilm and stains, any remaining hard calculus is gently removed with ultrasonic and hand instruments applied with precision and skill.
- Protected surfaces: This targeted approach significantly reduces the need for heavy-handed mechanical scaling, protecting the integrity of the hard and soft tissue without causing damage.
- Effective periodontal maintenance
- Long-term control: Gum disease is linked to systemic health including heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. The use of AirFlow technology is an ideal tool for supportive periodontal therapy. Regular sessions help control the growth of harmful bacteria and minimize plaque buildup over time, which supports overall health.
- Patient education: Disclosing biofilm (plaque) and customized oral hygiene instruction allows patients to see precisely where improvements in home care help them to better manage their oral health.
- Safe for implants
- Peri-implantitis prevention: For patients with dental implants, guided biofilm removal therapy provides a safe method for cleaning around implants to prevent implant related diseases like peri-implantitis. The gentle nature of the system ensures the implant surfaces and surrounding tissue are not damaged.
Topical Fluoride Treatment: A Periodontal-Focused Cleaning for Healthier Gums
A dental hygiene appointment typically includes both a checkup and a professional cleaning—an essential part of maintaining long-term oral health. For most patients, it’s a quick and painless procedure that helps prevent more serious issues from developing.
During your appointment, the hygienist will begin with a thorough evaluation using a small mirror to examine your teeth and gums. They will then use a scaler to gently remove plaque and tartar buildup, with special attention to the areas around the gumline. Afterward, the teeth are polished to remove surface stains and leave your smile feeling smooth and refreshed. A topical fluoride treatment may also be applied to protect against cavities.
At our office, we take cleanings a step further with a more advanced, periodontal-focused approach to hygiene. This includes:
- Comprehensive health screening
- Oral cancer screening
- Periodontal health assessment (including pocket depth measurements)
- Oral hygiene evaluation with personalized home care tips
- Thorough removal of harmful biofilm
- Subgingival debridement of hard deposits below the gumline
- Fluoride application for cavity prevention
These additional steps allow us to better protect your gum health, catch early signs of disease, and give you the tools to maintain a cleaner, healthier smile between visits.
What is Tooth Scaling?
Tartar is plaque that has had time to harden and is that white (sometimes brownish-black) substance found at the base of the tooth just above the gumline. Tartar is usually not removed with standard brushing and flossing and usually requires coming in to see us for proper and thorough removal.
Tooth scaling is a service that involves using a tool that is specifically designed to break-apart and remove tartar. We gently run the tooth scaling tool along the front and back surfaces of teeth that have any signs of tartar which effectively cleans the gumline and smooths the tooth enamel. Every time you come in for a dental checkup, tooth scaling is performed to help prevent future dental problems such as cavities and gum disease.
What's Involved With A Root Planing Procedure?
Each person's oral health is unique and the stage and current condition of the teeth and gums will dictate how involved a deep cleaning is as well as how long it takes to heal. Usually a deep cleaning is done one-half of the mouth at a time and healing takes about a day or two.
During a deep cleaning we will numb the areas of your gums where we are working, which will keep you from feeling any discomfort during the procedure. Using a special tool, we will remove any tartar build up that is found on tooth roots below the gumline and we ensure the tooth root gets a smooth finish to allow the gum tissues to start re-attaching itself. Our office uses a special ultrasonic tool that will ensure the quickest and most comfortable deep cleaning as possible. After your root planing procedure, you may be recommended to take a medication to help control soreness from the procedure, keep away infections and to promote healing.
Meet Your Florida Heartland Periodontist in Sebring:
Dr. Michael G Kirsch, DDS, MS
When it comes to periodontal care, the right specialist makes all the difference. Since 1995, Dr. Michael Kirsch has been helping patients in Sebring and throughout the Heartland region achieve healthier gums and confident smiles through exceptional periodontal treatment. With advanced specialty training, decades of hands-on experience, and a gentle, compassionate approach, Dr. Kirsch ensures each patient feels comfortable, informed, and empowered throughout their periodontal journey. Known for meticulous care and personalized treatment plans, Dr. Kirsch is committed to helping you maintain lasting oral health and a smile you're proud to share.