Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.

Port Dover Family Dentistry
Bleeding, puffy or receding gums can be signs of gum disease. Turkey Point patients can learn how it is diagnosed, treated and kept in check at our Port Dover office.
Let’s get you smiling
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Caring for Turkey Point patients at our Port Dover office
See every dental service for Turkey PointHealthy gums hold teeth in place
Gum disease begins when plaque along the gum line causes inflammation. In its early stage, called gingivitis, gums may bleed and look red or swollen. If it progresses to periodontitis, the gums and bone supporting the teeth can break down, leading to recession, loose teeth and eventually tooth loss. Many people have no pain until it is advanced.
Turkey Point residents and seasonal visitors who notice bleeding or tender gums can have them assessed at our Port Dover office. Mention any history of gum treatment and how long symptoms have been present.

Warning signs
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss, look red or puffy, or feel tender are often the first signs. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste can also be linked to gum inflammation. These early changes are usually reversible with professional cleaning and better daily care, so they are worth addressing promptly.
Gums pulling back from teeth, spaces developing between teeth, teeth that feel loose or shift, pus around the gums and changes in your bite suggest the disease may have progressed. Smoking can mask bleeding, so smokers may have more advanced disease without obvious signs. Regular exams help detect these changes.
Diagnosis
The hygienist or dentist uses a small measuring instrument to check the depth of the space between each tooth and its gum. Healthy pockets are shallow; deeper pockets can indicate loss of attachment. Bleeding points, recession and tooth mobility are also recorded. This chart becomes a baseline for tracking progress.
X-rays show bone levels around the teeth and help determine the severity of bone loss. The dentist will ask about diabetes, smoking, pregnancy, medications and family history, which influence gum health. Understanding your risk factors helps shape a treatment plan that is realistic and effective for you.
Treatment
For early gum disease, a thorough cleaning and improved home care may be enough. For periodontitis, scaling and root planing, often called deep cleaning, removes tartar and bacteria from below the gum line and smooths root surfaces so gums can reattach. The area is usually numbed, and treatment may be spread over more than one visit.
After deep cleaning, the dentist re-evaluates pocket depths to see how the gums have responded. Some areas may need additional treatment or referral to a periodontist. Antimicrobial rinses or local medications may be considered. The dentist will explain what is recommended for your specific areas of concern.
Staying on track
Brush twice daily along the gum line with a soft brush and clean between teeth every day using floss, picks or small brushes as recommended. If you smoke, quitting significantly improves gum health. Managing conditions like diabetes also helps. The hygienist can show you techniques that work for your mouth.
Gum disease can return, so maintenance cleanings are often scheduled more frequently than routine cleanings. These visits allow pockets to be checked and buildup removed before it causes damage. If you split the year between Turkey Point and another home, plan how to keep maintenance visits regular wherever you are.
Planning your appointment
Call our Port Dover office if your gums bleed, feel tender or seem to be receding. The team can arrange an exam and gum assessment to find out what is happening.
Bring records of any previous gum treatment. Let the team know about smoking, diabetes or medications that may affect your gums.
Before you book
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Bleeding is a common sign of gum inflammation, not a normal state. It often improves with consistent cleaning, but if it persists, have your gums checked.
Gingivitis is usually reversible. Periodontitis can be controlled with treatment and maintenance, though lost bone does not typically grow back on its own.
The area is usually numbed, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. Some tenderness afterward is common and usually settles within a few days.
Research has found associations between gum disease and conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Keeping gums healthy is part of overall well-being.
Many patients with a history of periodontitis need more frequent maintenance visits. The dentist will recommend an interval based on your response to treatment.
After gum treatment, regular maintenance helps keep disease from returning. Turkey Point patients can learn what these visits involve and how often they are needed.
Prevention keeps teeth and gums healthier for longer. Turkey Point patients can learn how hygiene visits, fluoride and daily habits fit together at our Port Dover office.
Recognized year after year
Best Dentists in Norfolk
Proudly recognized among Norfolk’s top-rated dental practices for six consecutive years.

2021 Winner

2022 Winner

2023 Winner

2024 Winner

2025 Winner

2026 Winner
Stories from our patients
Watch a patient’s experience and browse more five-star reviews from people who have visited our Port Dover dental clinic.
Patient video
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
Google reviews
Swipe or use the arrows
Read all reviewsYour next visit can start today
New patients and CDCP patients are welcome. Tell us how we can help and our Port Dover dental team will follow up with you.
Evening appointments Monday and Tuesday