Patient Reviews
Friendly, knowledgeable, and caring staff. They made me feel at ease as a new patient. I'm glad I found a very good dentist office.

Great dental services! Everyone in the practice is friendly and professional and attentive to the patients needs and concerns.

Cares about patients. The staff is very helpful and accommodating. Scheduling was easy. The practice is outstanding and deserves 10 stars!

Made me comfortable knowing I had a lot of anxiety Everything was explained really thoroughly which made me feel even more at ease

Dentist and dental tech are very kind and professional. Work is done gently . Great experience.

Staff is wonderful, Alex does a great job cleaning my teeth 😁 I'm not one that enjoys the dentist but Bayview makes me feel at ease. Thank you!!

First visit. Everyone was so nice and made me comfortable knowing I had a lot of anxiety Everything was explained really thoroughly which made me feel even more at ease.

Excellent customer service. Extremely kind, courteous and caring about their patients. They do an awesome job communicating the treatment and patient out of pocket cost for a procedure.

Great dentist. Thorough, explained everything, reasonable pricing, warm and friendly staff. So happy I found you.

Gum Disease
Why is oral hygiene so important?
Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases (periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily.
Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is a colorless film, which sticks to your teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. By thorough daily brushing and flossing you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease.
How to Brush Teeth
Dr. Branscombe and Dr. Perera recommend using a soft tooth brush. Position the brush at a 45 degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small, gentle strokes brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth. Use light pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth, but not so much pressure that you feel any discomfort.
When you are done cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside of the back teeth.
To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Don’t forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue.
Next you will clean the biting surfaces of your teeth by using short, gentle strokes. Change the position of the brush as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces. Try to watch yourself in the mirror to make sure you clean each surface. After you are done, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque you might have loosened while brushing.
Taking Care of Your Teeth and Gums
How to Floss
Periodontal disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is a very effective way to remove plaque from those surfaces. However, it is important to develop the proper technique. The following instructions will help you, but remember it takes time and practice.
Start with a piece of floss (waxed is easier) about 18” long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand.
To clean the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or try to snap it in to place. Bring the floss to the gum line then curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel light resistance. Move the floss up and down on the side of one tooth. Remember there are two tooth surfaces that need to be cleaned in each space. Continue to floss each side of all the upper teeth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss becomes soiled, turn from one finger to the other to get a fresh section.
To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the floss using the forefingers of both hands. Do not forget the back side of the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.
When you are done, rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles. Do not be alarmed if during the first week of flossing your gums bleed or are a little sore. If your gums hurt while flossing you could be doing it too hard or pinching the gum. As you floss daily and remove the plaque your gums will heal and the bleeding should stop.
Caring for Sensitive Teeth
Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last long, but only if the mouth is kept clean. If the mouth is not kept clean the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive consult with your doctor. They may recommend a medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth.
Choosing Oral Hygiene Products
There are so many products on the market it can become confusing and choosing between all the products can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for choosing dental care products that will work for most patients.
Automatic and “high-tech” electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of the patients. Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) will rinse your mouth thoroughly, but will not remove plaque. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator. We see excellent results with electric toothbrushes called Rotadent and Interplak.
Some toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the handle, this is used to massage the gums after brushing. There are also tiny brushes (interproximal toothbrushes) that clean between your teeth. If these are used improperly you could injure the gums, so discuss proper use with your doctor.
Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, if used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, can reduce tooth decay as much as 40%. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age. Tartar control toothpastes will reduce tartar above the gum line, but gum disease starts below the gum line so these products have not been proven to reduce the early stage of gum disease.
Anti-plaque rinses, approved by the American Dental Association, contain agents that may help bring early gum disease under control. Use these in conjunction with brushing and flossing.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental calculus to a minimum, but a professional dental cleaning will remove calculus in places your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your visit to our office is an important part of your program to prevent gum disease. Keep your teeth for your lifetime.
The Need for Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease is one of the most dangerous oral infections and the primary cause of tooth loss in adults. If you regularly notice bleeding gums or your gums appear red and tender, don’t wait to schedule a consultation with our dentists at BayView Dental Associates! Timely treatment is the only way to prevent this condition and save your smile from irreparable damage.
Seeking treatment from our dentists early also can help ensure that gum disease does not affect your physical health or aggravate existing systemic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Our multiple dental offices in Florida make it convenient to schedule your gum disease treatment with our team, and our personalized insurance and financing options make your treatment affordable. Keep your smile healthy by reserving your consultation today!
Why Treat Gum Disease?
Gum disease may start quietly. At first, you may notice your gums feel tender or bleed when you brush and floss. When plaque and calculus are allowed to accumulate on your teeth, your gums become inflamed and tender before pulling away from your teeth. If left unchecked, this infection can cause more than tender, bleeding gums. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and even cause systemic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, stroke, or diabetes complications.
Our skilled, caring dental team at BayView Dental Associates offers the highly effective, minimally invasive treatments you need to keep the infection under control and maintain proper oral health for years to come. Contact us at the first appearance of symptoms!
Targeted Treatment for Gum Disease
The great news is that gum disease is preventable—and curable at an early stage! Just be sure to brush and floss your teeth and have regular professional teeth cleanings and checkups. If you do require care for gum disease, we are the team to trust. We provide multiple options for gum disease treatment at our Florida dental practices, based on the severity of your case and the stage of gum disease you are in. We will begin with a consultation that includes an oral examination.
Our dentists will assess your current oral health and provide you with a customized treatment plan that reflects your unique needs. With proper treatment, maintenance, and good oral health habits, gum disease does not have to damage your smile again. Most importantly, a smile free from bacteria and infection helps you live an overall healthy lifestyle!
Key Gum Disease Treatments
Scaling and Root Planing
A non-surgical treatment, scaling and root planing is often the first procedure in the fight against gum disease. Scaling removes the bacterial plaque from above and below the gumline. Root planing smooths the tooth surfaces to encourage healthy tissue reattachment and protection against future infection.
Periodontal Maintenance
Once gum disease has been comprehensively treated, periodontal maintenance is recommended to ensure it does not return. This procedure is completed every 3-4 months and involves a deep cleaning of the teeth at and below the gum line to remove bacteria and plaque accumulation. These deep cleanings will replace your regularly scheduled hygiene appointments.
Don’t let gum disease harm your smile!
Schedule your gum disease consultation at BayView Dental Associates to get started.