Periodontist: Know When To See One To Prevent Problems with Your Gums

A periodontist specializes in treating issues involving your gums. This kind of practitioner is therefore a bit more focused on this part of the mouth than your dentist is, so it is wise to see one if you are unsure of the health of this area. It is a good idea to consider a few signs that indicate you should see this kind of specialist so that you can prevent oral issues from getting worse.

If you notice blood in your mouth when you brush your teeth or floss, you should bring this to the attention of a periodontist. This is because you might have food particles and bacteria between the teeth, which only a deep cleaning can get rid of. Beyond that, you probably also have inflammation due to the bacteria, which can cause both bleeding and discomfort. In order to get rid of these problems, you need to get rid of the inflammation, which means you need a good cleaning and possibly some anti-bacterial mouthwash. Note that your dentist can also take care of the issue, but if he or she notices any signs of gum disease, you may be referred to a periodontist anyway, so going to one to start with is not a bad idea.

Another somewhat common problem is particularly bad breath. If you notice this, you will probably go straight to the sink to brush, floss, and use mouthwash. However, minutes later you might get a bad taste in your mouth, or notice that your breath is still not fresh. Sometimes getting rid of this issue is not as simple as brushing again, as you may need to see a periodontal specialist. This is especially true if you notice sores or pus in your mouth, which can also be the cause of the bad breath. Either way, you need to get it checked out so that you can freshen your breath while ensuring that you have good dental health.

If your teeth suddenly feel loose, or dentures do not fit right anymore, you may need to see a periodontal expert since you might have issues with your gums. You may look in the mirror and see that your teeth look longer than usual, as your gums are receding. This is not normal, and the issue is not just an aesthetic one. The more of the tooth that is exposed, the easier it is for it to become decayed, and you may end up losing your teeth altogether if you do not get the issue diagnosed and treated soon.

If you are unsure if you have any of these problems, you can either schedule an appointment with a local periodontist, or ask your dentist to check for any issues that might require a referral to a gum specialist. Either way, it is important to have even minor conditions evaluated and treated early on, as this can help avoid major conditions from developing. Note that some issues require gum surgery, which is left up to periodontists to perform, but you can try to avoid this option with regular oral care.