Periodontists and Gum Disease
If you have ever wondered where gum disease comes from, then you are in the right place. Keeping your teeth and gums clean is the simplest and most affordable way to prevent bacteria from destroying them. It also forms the first step to preventing severe dental pain, discomfort, swelling and tooth loss.
What Is Gingivitis?
This is a dental disease that attacks your gums and the bones associated with your gums (teeth and jawbone). It starts when your teeth become yellow from lack of brushing and flossing or bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol intake. Over time, you might start noticing a thicker yellow build-up on your teeth known as plaque. It forces itself between your teeth and gums and starts widening that space. It may even turn black, a point where it is known as tartar.
At this stage, your dentist could inform you that you have gingivitis, which needs to be treated before you start suffering from gum disease/periodontal disease.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Tartar and plaque continue to build up and widen the space between your gums and teeth. They start secreting toxins into your gums and, combined with the bacteria in your mouth, start attacking your jawbone.
Since your teeth are connected to your jawbone, they may have already started getting damaged, which means teeth may start falling out. Unfortunately, this is irreversible. At this point, you may be in pain, and your mouth could be smelly and unsightly. These occurrences form what is known as periodontal disease.
Who Is a Periodontist?
This is the dental specialist you visit if you are suffering from gingivitis or periodontal disease. It would be in your best interest to avoid waiting until you have periodontal disease to visit a periodontist.
If you visit a periodontist at the gingivitis stage, expect them to clean out the plaque or tartar and prescribe medication. You will also be advised on how to maintain good oral hygiene as you heal and after.
If you find yourself in the periodontal disease stage, plenty needs to be done. The periodontist needs to examine you visually and may afterwards request blood tests and an X-ray.
Depending on the results, expect a schedule of different teeth treatment methods. You can expect teeth cleaning, tooth extraction, dental filling, root canal, dental surgery, oral medication, a dental implant and more. Your periodontist is the best person to paint a clear picture of what to expect. Contact a periodontist for more information.