While everybody has a conception of a general dentist in terms of dental care, not many people understand the idea of a periodontist. A periodontist is considered a specialist dealing specifically with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum diseases and conditions affecting the supporting structures of the teeth. While general dental checkups are very important, there are times when you will require the services of a periodontist to keep your oral health in optimum shape. If you’re looking for a dentist in Yuma or not sure if you should see a periodontist, this blog will walk you through when and why you should see one.
What Does a Periodontist Do?
A periodontist deals with a specialized branch of the health of your gums and the bones that hold your teeth. This individual is qualified, essentially, to deal with gum disease, popularly known as periodontal disease, besides doing cosmetic work for the beautification of your gums. Their area of expertise even includes dental implants, which makes them a very important figure in restorative dental work.
For instance, if you happen to have chronic gum problems or are planning on getting dental implants, then it may be important to find a periodontist in Yuma because of the deep understanding they possess in complex gum issues that will definitely help avoid aggravating further the health complications.
Indications That You May Require A Periodontist
- Persistent Gum Bleeding
Gum bleeding is often one of the first symptoms that something is not quite right. When your gums bleed regularly in response to brushing or flossing, it may well be more than just vigorous cleaning. Persistent gum bleeding is a hallmark symptom of gum disease, most especially gingivitis, which is the earliest stage. If left unattended, it could progress to periodontitis, a more severe manifestation of gum disease that may lead to tooth loss.
A periodontist will first check on the health of your gums and then send one good place at that point with any recommended interventions to prevent the disease from worsening hence giving a healthy smile.
- Receding Gums
In gum recession, the gingiva starts pulling away from the teeth in some places, exposing parts of the tooth’s surface, including even its root. This would make your teeth sensitive to temperature, and it makes them appear longer. Gum recession is typically associated with periodontal gum disease or extreme brushing.
If you have receding gums, then a periodontist can perform several procedures on you that will help rebuild that gum line restoring your teeth back to protection as well as aesthetics.
- Loose or Shifting Teeth
The feeling that your teeth are becoming loose or are shifting out of place could indicate a severe level of periodontal disease. Since the bone that supports the tooth gets infected and damaged, teeth may start losing their stability. In extreme cases, this may lead to a loss of teeth.
A periodontist is trained to treat such a condition and may even prescribe scaling and root planing or surgery to revitalize the health of the treated areas.
- You Are Considering Dental Implants
Dental implants are considered one of the most suitable solutions for the missing tooth when placed perfectly. They allow a natural appearance and function. Not everyone is an appropriate candidate for such a procedure, though. A periodontist is a specialist who specifically places implants. He or she will evaluate if your jawbone and gums are healthy enough to support an implant.
If you are based in Yuma and do plan to have the placement of your dental implants, go to a periodontist in Yuma so that the process can be carried out with the highest expertise for long-term success.
- Halitosis or Chronic Bad Breath
Halitosis or chronic bad breath can sometimes be the result of an underlying gum condition. Here, bacteria thrive on inflamed and infected gum tissues, causing a persistent bad odor that may not go away even after brushing and rinsing the mouth with mouthwash.
If nothing works for you, then it is time to visit a periodontist and find out if gum disease is the real reason behind bad breath and start the treatments to eliminate the disease.
How Can A Periodontist Help You?
End Heavily equipped and trained, periodontists specialize in the treatment of gum disease, among other conditions that can greatly endanger the foundation of your smile. They can provide non-surgical treatments such as scaling and root planing which is a cleaning of deep pockets to remove the plaque and tartar that collect below the gum line. Such more severe conditions that demand surgery include pocket reduction and bone grafting to rebuild lost bone.
Periodontists can also undertake surgical cosmetic treatments such as crown lengthening or gum contouring to fix the aesthetic appearance of your gums and teeth if there is a gum-related problem that is causing you not to be pleased with the state of your smile.
Oral health is not only the health of clean, clean teeth but also of healthy gums and the infrastructure supporting the above structures. If you are suffering from chronic gum conditions, considering dental implants, or have signs like the recession of your gums or loose teeth, it’s about time you visited a periodontist. Whether you need a regular dentist in Yuma or a specialist, making sure your gum health becomes a priority would rather prevent potentially worse dental issues down the line. Searching for a periodontist in Yuma may just be the difference between saving your dental health and your dazzling smile.
