A periodontist is a dentist with the specialty of diagnosing, treating, and helping you prevent problems with your gums and other supporting tissues in your mouth, as well as dental implants. So it is your San Diego, CA, periodontist that you turn to when dealing with gum disease, but there are other factors to consider, which are outlined below. To learn more contact Scripps Ranch Periodontics and Implants with Dr. Joseph Yang.
Gum Disease
To understand why a periodontist is so important to your dental health it's a good idea to understand how gum disease can affect it.
Gum disease is an infection of your gums brought on by bacteria present in plaque. Plaque builds on your teeth every day and without proper dental care, it propagates beneath the gums and can spread rapidly. In the long run in can endanger the support structures of teeth and lead to tooth loss.
The good news is that your periodontist can treat it at every stage, although treating as early as it begins to develop can save you from invasive treatments, and can save your smile.
Signs You Should See a Periodontist
Signs that you should see your periodontist are also signs that you are beginning to develop gum disease.
If you notice bleeding on a regular basis it should be cause for concern. When you first begin flossing your teeth after a pause from doing so can result in bleeding as your gums adjust, but it shouldn't keep happening. Noticeably inflamed and reddened gums are also signs you should see your periodontist.
Your periodontist can use treatments such as scaling and root planing to remove plaque from beneath your gums and protect them from re-infection.
Receding gums, bad breath, and even loose teeth are signs that gum disease is far advanced and may require surgical intervention to battle it.
It may not be possible to save teeth that are already loose, however, but your periodontist can still help restore your smile with dental implants.
Periodontist in San Diego, CA
Attending your periodontist early enough, preferably before visible signs of gum disease are present, can allow them to reverse the condition. It can't be reversed after a certain point, but it can be halted and treated.
Schedule a consultation today with your local periodontist in and around the Mira Mesa, San Diego, CA, area. Dial (858) 578-2205 to make an appointment with Dr. Yang of Scripps Ranch Periodontics and Implants.