When should you go to a periodontist?

If you notice that your teeth seem to appear elongated or that your gums are receding at all, then you should schedule an appointment with a periodontist. Longer-looking and loose-feeling teeth can indicate recession of the gums and/or bone loss as a result of periodontal disease.

What are 3 conditions that a periodontist may treat?

How do I know if I need periodontal surgery?

People with severe or advanced disease around their gums and the tissues that support their teeth are usually candidates for periodontal surgery. If you have gum disease, your symptoms might include: gums that are swollen, red, or bleeding. deep pockets that form between your gums and teeth.

Why would you see a periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease. They also help you manage signs of advancing gum problems like oral inflammation. Gum disease happens when the tissue around your teeth gets infected, causing inflammation.

What are some of the early warning signs of periodontal disease?

How do you know when it's the right time to send a patient to the periodontist?

What are the 4 stages of periodontal disease?

Does periodontal disease show on xray?

Taking x-rays is part of the periodontal disease diagnosis process. When your dentist is evaluating your gum health, they use x-rays to check how much jawbone you have surrounding each tooth. Since the bone is what keeps your teeth secure, bone loss is an indication of periodontitis, which is a serious oral infection.

Should I see a dentist or periodontist first?

In the course of a regular dental check up, if the general dentist or hygienist finds symptoms of gingivitis or rapidly progressing periodontal disease, a consultation with a periodontist may be recommended. However, a referral is not necessary for a periodontal consultation.

What is the main cause of periodontal disease?

Overview. Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden.

Can periodontitis be cured?

Periodontitis can only be treated but cannot be cured. Gingivitis, on the other hand, can be prevented by maintaining proper oral hygiene practices and visiting the dentist for checkups and exams.

Is periodontal surgery painful?

The actual gum grafting procedure is painless. This is because a local anesthetic is used to numb the affected area. A periodontist, who is a dental specialist in gum disease and the gums, typically performs this procedure. You may instead feel some movement or pressure as your periodontist performs the procedure.

Is it worth it getting gum surgery?

While gum tissue grafts are effective at repairing gum recession and preventing further damage, there is no guarantee that gum problems won't develop again in the future. However, with regular dental checkups and careful dental care at home, serious damage requiring surgery can be prevented.

How much does it cost to fix periodontal disease?

Periodontal Disease treatment cost ranges from $1,700 - $8,000, and teeth extractions average $200.00-$300.00 per tooth. The first treatment option is root scaling and planning. If this is not effective, surgery is needed, potentially using pocket reduction and bone grafting.

How fast does periodontal disease progress?

Slight Periodontal Disease

During the early gingivitis stages, gum inflammation can occur in as little as five days. Within two to three weeks, the signs of generalized gingivitis become more noticeable. If you still leave this untreated, it would progress to slight periodontal disease.

How do people live with periodontal disease?

The key to managing and living with periodontal disease is to ensure your teeth are kept clean and reduce gum irritation. Besides an increase in cleanings, there are also specialized cleaning methods used, depending on the extent of damage.

How does a periodontist fix receding gums?

Minor gum recession may be treated with a specialized deep cleaning known as root scaling and planing, which aims to reduce the size of pockets that develop in the gums. For cases of more advanced recession, dental surgery known as gum grafting can help to restore your smile and your oral health.

What happens if you don't treat periodontal disease?

Long-term risk of untreated periodontal disease

Untreated gingivitis will progress into periodontitis, which is a more severe stage of gum disease. The infection and pockets deepen while eating away at your jaw until your teeth become loose and fall out.

Can you stop periodontitis from getting worse?

Advanced gum disease, also called periodontal disease, cannot be reversed. However, our dentists are able to mitigate the damaging effects of periodontal disease through scaling and root planing. Periodontal treatment can help you avoid some of the more serious side effects, such as receding gums and tooth loss.

Which toothpaste is best for periodontal disease?

Use Corsodyl Toothpaste, which physically removes the build of plaque bacteria along the gum line, helping to keep the seal between your gums and teeth tight. When used to brush twice daily it is 4x more effective* than a regular toothpaste at removing the main cause of bleeding gums.

When should a dentist refer to a periodontist?

In the course of a regular dental check up, if the general dentist or hygienist finds symptoms of gingivitis or rapidly progressing periodontal disease, a consultation with a periodontist may be recommended.

Can a regular dentist treat periodontal disease?

While a general dentist can treat gum disease with cleanings, and scaling and root planing, a periodontist can treat advanced periodontal disease cases that a general dentist cannot.

Can I go straight to a periodontist?

Your dentist can refer you to a specialist if they think you need extra treatment. You might sometimes want to go straight to a periodontist, such as when you're interested in dental implants. Familiarizing yourself with the different types of dentist will help you get the best treatment.

What is the best mouthwash to use for periodontal disease?

What stage of gum disease is receding gums?

In stage four the periodontal disease has taken a firm hold. Your gums will be visibly receding, exposing tender tooth enamel which can be easily damaged and then start to decay. The hidden damage to your jawbone will start to become noticeable as your teeth start to loosen, becoming wobbly or even moving position.

What is mild periodontitis?

Slight Periodontal Disease: Slight periodontal disease is the second stage of gum disease. It isn't reversible, but can be managed. Once you reach stage two, the infection has spread to the bone and has begun to destroy bones. The bacteria have become more aggressive, which is what leads to bone less.