WHY WOULD YOU NEED TO SEE A PERIODONTIST?

Many people suffer from dental disease without knowing. When they finally begin to experience some uncomfortable symptoms, one of the problems is that they do not know who to see or where to go. For this article, we will focus on why you should see a periodontist.

Who Is a Periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist that handles issues concerning the gums and bones in the mouth. After a dentist has completed four years of training in dental school, they need extra training for three years before they can specialize in a particular department. But this doesn’t happen without the successful completion of a written or oral exam.

What Does A Periodontist Do?

A periodontist is a specialized dentist that diagnoses, prevents, and treats periodontitis. They are also experts at preventing the escalation of gum disease symptoms.
But first of all, what is periodontitis?

Periodontitis is an advanced disease of the gums. At this point, the gums are not the only affected part, but the teeth bones too. That is when the infection has eaten deep into other parts of the oral structure and might even spread to parts of the body if it goes untreated. But then, does periodontitis begin without a warning or early stage?

Here is the answer: Periodontitis starts with a mild gum disease called Gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and is often a mild one. It begins with gum irritations from accumulated plaques. Plaques result from food debris that gets stuck on the teeth over time. When we don’t floss and brush properly, we won’t get rid of food particles thoroughly. Also, regular dental cleanings at the dentist’s office come in handy. They are very effective and can help reduce your chances of developing gum disease. The accumulated plaques would begin to release harmful chemicals over time, and this would harm the gums which support the teeth and lead to gum irritation.

Gingivitis is easier to treat because it usually does not cause severe damage. However, when gingivitis isn’t treated on time, it can lead to periodontitis, the last and advanced stage of gum infection. Periodontitis causes bone deterioration. At this point, tooth loss is possible if the disease progresses. In worse cases, the individual might also suffer from other health conditions caused by the spread of the infection to other body parts.

When Should I See the Periodontist in Houston, TX?

The following are how you know you should see a periodontist.

• Bleeding Gums:

If your gums bleed whenever you brush or floss, this could be a sign that you need to see a periodontist for a dental examination. Although bleeding can occur whenever we brush or floss, especially if the toothbrush’s bristles are hard and cause a bruise or injury, severe bleeding gums are not typical. Also, if it happens all the time, it could be a sign that your gums are irritated and tender, thereby causing them to bleed even at the slightest touch.

• Shrinking or Receding Gums:

If you’ve noticed that your gums are becoming smaller and that your teeth, especially the upper teeth, are beginning to look longer, you should see the periodontist. Receding gums are a sign that gum tissues are becoming weak and unable to give your teeth adequate support.

• Teeth Sensitivity:

Tooth sensitivity is when a person feels sharp or dull pain whenever they take hot or cold substances. Since the gums and enamels aren’t strong enough to protect the teeth due to the gum infection, the teeth’ roots would become exposed, leading to teeth sensitivity.

• Loose Teeth:

When your gums begin to recede, the teeth would have higher tendencies of getting loose from their position because the gums do not hold them well any longer. That is what causes tooth loss. If you have noticed that your teeth do not bite or chew well, you should see a periodontist.

• Bad Breath (Halitosis):

If you’ve noticed a sudden bad smell that comes from your breath, you should pay more attention to it and check the factors around you that could be causing bad breath. Sometimes bad breath can be caused by the kind of foods we eat and other factors. However, constant bad breath should be a cause for concern, and you should see a periodontist near you or visit Greater Houston Dental Arts.