Periodontal care

Healthy gums hold everything else up.

Gum disease treatment in Naples, FL — measured carefully, explained plainly, and looked after for the long term by Dr. Marino or Dr. Marquez.

Gum disease treatment in Naples, FL

Gum disease is common, and it’s often quiet.

Periodontal (gum) disease affects nearly half of American adults, and many of them don’t know it. Left alone, it can lead to bone loss and lost teeth, and it has been linked to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

We take gums as seriously as teeth. We measure them at your checkups, show you what we find on the monitor beside your chair, and treat problems early — gently, and with a plan to keep them healthy afterward.

Dr. Shirley Marquez walking a patient through a scan of her teeth and gums on a chairside monitor

Warning signs

Signs of gum disease to take seriously.

If you notice any of these, book an evaluation.

Bleeding gums

Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are often the first sign. Healthy gums don’t bleed.

Red, swollen or tender gums

Puffy, sore gums mean inflammation and possibly infection.

Bad breath that doesn’t go away

Breath that brushing doesn’t fix can come from bacteria below the gum line.

Receding gums

Gums pulling back so teeth look longer often means the disease is advancing.

Loose or shifting teeth

Teeth that feel loose or are moving can be a sign of bone loss.

Pain when you chew

Discomfort while chewing can point to gum infection or bone loss around a tooth.

Gum disease often progresses without pain or obvious symptoms. That’s why we check your gums at every regular visit — it’s the most reliable way to catch it early. About checkups →

How we treat it

Periodontal treatment in Naples, FL

Gum disease is a long-term condition. Treatment starts with an exact picture of where you stand, and continues with regular care to keep it under control.

Lisy, a dental assistant at Altamar Dental Studio, preparing sterilized instruments
  1. A thorough periodontal evaluation.

    We measure the pocket depth around each tooth, check gum attachment and bleeding, and use digital X-rays to see your bone levels. Then we explain exactly where you stand.

  2. Scaling and root planing.

    A deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line and smooths the root surfaces so your gums can heal. We numb the area first so you’re comfortable.

  3. Localized antibiotics, when they help.

    In some cases we place an antibiotic directly into the deeper pockets, alongside scaling and root planing, to help clear infection.

  4. Home care that fits your mouth.

    We show you how to brush and floss around the areas that need it, and may suggest tools like interdental brushes or a water flosser.

  5. Periodontal maintenance.

    Cleanings that go deeper than a standard cleaning, usually every 3–4 months, to keep the disease from coming back.

  6. Ongoing monitoring.

    We track your gums at every visit and adjust your plan as things change.

Your gums and the rest of you

Why gum health isn’t only about your teeth.

The bacteria and inflammation of gum disease don’t necessarily stay in your mouth. Research has linked periodontal disease with several conditions elsewhere in the body.

Heart disease

People with periodontal disease have higher rates of coronary artery disease.

Diabetes

Gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control, and diabetes makes gum disease more likely. Each can feed the other.

Stroke

Studies have associated periodontal disease with a higher risk of stroke.

Lung infections

Bacteria from infected gums can be breathed into the lungs, which can contribute to pneumonia and other respiratory infections.

Pregnancy

Periodontal disease during pregnancy has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.

Memory and cognition

Early research is exploring possible links between gum disease bacteria and cognitive decline.

Treating gum disease is about keeping your teeth — and about looking after the rest of you, too.

Why Altamar for periodontal care

Gum care works best with consistent follow-up.

Evaluations that aren’t rushed

Careful measurements, digital imaging and a clear explanation of your gum health — with time for your questions.

Comfort during treatment

We numb the area and work gently during deep cleanings. If you’re anxious, nitrous oxide and oral sedation are available here. About sedation →

The whole person

Your medications, your overall health and your risk factors all shape your treatment. You are more than 32 teeth.

The same doctors over time

Dr. Marino and Dr. Marquez own the practice and follow your gums visit after visit, so changes don’t slip through.

You learn how to keep it

Hands-on instruction for home care, and product suggestions for the areas that need extra attention.

Independent recommendations

We recommend the treatment your gums need. Our recommendations are based on what’s right for you — not the terms of an insurance contract.

Paying for periodontal care

A plan made for gums that need more care.

Gum disease means more frequent visits than the usual twice a year. The Periodontal Smile Club plan, $460 a year, includes everything in the Individual plan plus two periodontal maintenance visits, 40% off scaling and root planing, and 50% off Arestin.

Have dental benefits?

You can still use them here. Altamar doesn’t participate in insurance networks, so you pay Altamar directly — our team submits your claim, and any reimbursement your plan owes goes straight to you.

How using your benefits works →

No benefits?

The Altamar Smile Club starts at $360/year and covers your preventive care plus meaningful savings on treatment.

Spreading out the cost

Payment is due at the time of your visit. We accept cash, credit and debit cards, CareCredit and HFD financing.

Pre-qualify with HFD →

Altamar Smile Club

The Periodontal plan adds two periodontal maintenance visits, 40% off scaling and root planing, and 50% off Arestin to everything in the Individual plan. Ask us which plan fits your gums.

  • Periodontal$460/yr
  • Individual$360/yr
  • Family, 2–4 members$560–$860/yr

The Smile Club is a discount membership, not insurance. It can’t be combined with dental insurance or any other discount, including CareCredit, and it’s valid only at Altamar Dental Studio.

See Smile Club Details

Questions about gum disease

Periodontal care FAQ

Can gum disease be cured?

In its early stage, gingivitis, yes — a professional cleaning and better home care can reverse it. Advanced gum disease, periodontitis, can be controlled but not cured, and it needs ongoing maintenance to keep it from coming back.

Does scaling and root planing hurt?

We numb the area we’re treating, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the cleaning. Some mild sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal and usually fades quickly.

How often will I need periodontal maintenance?

Most people with a history of gum disease need a maintenance cleaning every 3–4 months. That’s more often than a standard cleaning because it’s what keeps the disease under control.

Will I lose my teeth?

Not necessarily. When gum disease is found early and treated properly, most affected teeth can be saved. What matters most is starting treatment promptly and keeping up with follow-up care.

Is gum disease genetic?

Genes can make you more susceptible, but they aren’t destiny. With regular professional care and good habits at home, you can keep healthy gums even if you’re predisposed.

Is there a Smile Club plan for gum disease?

Yes. The Periodontal plan is $460 a year. It includes everything in the Individual plan — two exams, two cleanings, an emergency exam, oral cancer screenings and X-rays — plus two periodontal maintenance visits, 40% off scaling and root planing, and 50% off Arestin. In a family plan, each member who needs periodontal maintenance adds $50. It’s a discount membership, not insurance, and it can’t be combined with dental insurance or any other discount, including CareCredit. See Smile Club plans →

Can I use my dental insurance for periodontal treatment?

Yes. Altamar doesn’t participate in insurance networks, so you pay Altamar directly — our team submits your claim, and any reimbursement your plan owes goes straight to you. How using your benefits works →

Bleeding gums? Let’s take a look.

Found early, gum disease is far easier to manage. Book an evaluation with Dr. Marino or Dr. Marquez.