Who Is a Periodontist and When Do You Need to Visit One?

Have you ever brushed your teeth and noticed blood in the sink? Do your gums feel tender and swollen? If so, you might have gum disease, at least in the early stages. Gum disease or periodontitis is quite common. Nearly 50% of adults over 30 years old have gum disease in America alone.

Gum disease has overtaken old age as the number one cause of tooth loss. Periodontitis, in its infancy, can be reversed if you seek prompt treatment from our Periodontist in Concord, NH. However, it is a time-sensitive issue. If you are careless about it, you might end up facing other severe oral health problems.

Our Concord, NH dentist will help you so that you don’t lose any of your teeth.

What Is a Periodontist?

Tooth-supporting tissue and gums are known in dental jargon as the periodontium. Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with issues regarding periodontium. Therefore, a dental professional who deals with the periodontium is known as a periodontist.

A periodontist is a specialist who deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases that are associated with the periodontium. Our Periodontist in Concord, NH, treats oral inflammation, places dental implants, and performs certain surgeries such as sinus lifts.

Periodontal Disease 101

Gum disease is a common condition that can sneak up on you if you are not on the lookout for the early symptoms. Unfortunately, most people tend to brush off one of the glaring signs of gum disease—bleeding gums.

In the early stages, you will experience inflammation of the gums. When gum disease is still in its infancy, it’s known as gingivitis. In most scenarios, it is caused by poor oral hygiene.

When you eat and don’t clean your teeth properly afterward, plaque forms. Plaque is a sticky substance that is made up of bacteria, food debris, and saliva. If the plaque isn’t removed by brushing your teeth, then it hardens and forms tartar.

If left unchecked, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. When plaque has formed underneath your gums, your alveolar bone will start losing its integrity, and soon after, you will lose your teeth.

What Are Some of the Risk Factors?

Some of the risk factors that are linked to periodontitis are:

• Genetics
• Type 2 diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Dry mouth
• Poor nutrition
• Hormonal changes in women

When Do You Need to See a Periodontist?

You should be on the lookout for the following signs:

• Receding gums
• Sensitive teeth
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Discolored or red gums
• Swollen gums or tiny pimples on the gums

What Will Our Periodontist Do If You Have Gum Disease?

When you visit our office, our Periodontist near you will do the following:

• Check your medical history to see if you have any other medical conditions that can be linked to gum disease
• Examine your gums to determine whether you have the classic signs of gingivitis
• Measure the groove of your gums to see if they have receded
• Take X-rays to check the extent of the disease

After the examination, our Periodontist will be able to tell you whether you have gum disease and the severity of your case if you do. The treatment options are as follows:

Non-Surgical Treatments

If its gingivitis, our Periodontist may recommend that you undergo any of the following treatments:

• Planing – Our dentist near you will smooth your root’s surfaces so that it can discourage plaque buildup.
• Scaling – This procedure aims to remove tartar and bacteria from your teeth and beneath your gums.
• Antibiotics – These are used to control the bacterial infection

Surgical Treatments

However, if the disease has advanced, then surgery is the way to go. Some of the procedures you can expect are:

• Soft tissue grafts, which are done to reinforce your receding gums
• Flap surgery, which is performed to expose your roots for better cleaning
• Guided tissue regeneration, which is done to help your gums heal properly
• Bone grafting, which is performed to reinforce the bone

Gum disease can progress quickly, and you might find yourself looking for tooth replacement options if your gum disease isn’t treated promptly. Contact our Concord Periodontist at Concord Dental Associates to schedule an appointment.