Seven Hills - When to See a Periodontist

When to See a Periodontist

If you’re looking for an expert in dental care, look no further than the periodontist. Periods often arise because of gum disease or bacterial infection but can also occur due to heavy metal exposure like lead which causes swelling around one's teeth and mouth area-the worst place possible if there were any issues with their appearance! The goal here will be prevention through proper brushing after each meal (and not forgetting those pesky braces) as well as regular cleanings every two months at least; however these don't always work out depending on how big your town/city is where tooth decay has taken over completely unchecked.

The process of gum disease begins with the accumulation and colonization of bacteria on teeth, primarily around areas where there is soft or gingival tissue. As these organisms grow in number they feed off their host which causes inflammation; this response damages some cells causing an infection near your mouth's outer layer (dental plaque). The body then sends out phalanxes to destroy any infected structures found within its territory - commonly known as recession! As people age, their teeth become crowded and irregular. The spaces between them widen as the tissue that makes up jawbone recedes due to tooth loss which can eventually result in an unstable bite or even more severe problems like loose dentures.

Referrals from General Dentists and Self Referral

There are several ways treatment from a periodontist may be sought. In the course of a regular dental check up, if your general dentist or hygienist finds symptoms of gingivitis or rapidly progressing periodontal disease they should refer you to one for consultation so that he/she can find out more information about what steps need taken next. There is no need for a referral to receive a consultation.

If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, it is important that you schedule an appointment with a periodontist without delay:

Bleeding while eating or brushing – Unexplained bleeding while consuming food or during the course of daily cleaning is one of the most common signs of periodontal infection.
Bad breath – Continued halitosis (bad breath) which persists even when a rigorous oral hygiene program is in place, can be indicative of periodontitis, gingivitis or the beginnings of an infection in the gum tissues.
Loose teeth and gum recession – Longer looking teeth can signal recession of the gums and bone loss due to periodontal disease. As this disease progresses and attacks the jawbone, (the anchor holding the teeth in place) the teeth may become loose or be lost altogether.
Gangrene in the tissues – Gangrene is hard to self diagnose but the general dentist and periodontist will check for its presence in the soft tissues, alveolar bone and periodontal ligament.
Related health conditions – Heart disease, diabetes, osteopenia and osteoporosis are highly correlated with periodontitis and periodontal infections. The bacteria infection can spread through the blood stream and affect other parts of the body.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A dentist's work is not done until they have extensively examined the condition of your teeth and gums. This includes an examination for signs or symptoms that may indicate periodontal disease, such as redness around tissues in contact with food between tooth surfaces; if these are present then treatment options include surgeries like dental implant surgery which can replace missing teeth while preserving bone Hawkeye along its length - providing complete support to weak jaw muscles by providing attachment points where there were none before.

Gingivitis/mild periodontal disease – When the gum pockets exceed 4mm in depth, the periodontist or hygienist may perform scaling and root planing to remove debris from the pockets and allow them to heal. Education and advice will be provided on an effective cleaning regime thereafter.
Moderate periodontal disease – If the gum pockets reach 4-6mm in length, a more extensive scaling and root planing cleaning might be required. This cleaning is usually performed under local anesthetic.
Advanced periodontal disease – Gum pockets in excess of 6-7mm are usually accompanied by bone loss and gum recession. Scaling and root planing will always be performed as the initial nonsurgical treatment. In addition to tose nonsurgical treatments, the periodontist may recommend surgical treatment to reduce pocket depth.
Tooth loss – Where one or several teeth are missing due to periodontal disease, dental implants are an effective option. If the bone is strong enough to provide a suitable anchor for the prosthetic tooth, the implant can be placed. However, if the bone is severely eroded, bone grafts may be performed by the periodontist to provide a suitable anchor for the new tooth/teeth.