Though you may understand how important dental hygiene is, you may not know that your oral health actually serves as a window to your overall health. Proper dental care is important for your mouth, teeth, gums and jaw, as well as your entire body. Your body is made up of a variety of systems and they all affect each other. Your mouth works in unison with the rest of your body to fight off infection, bacteria, and to stay healthy. If you have certain dental issues, you may need to see a periodontist.
What is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dental specialist who is trained in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. A Plymouth Meeting periodontist is also trained to install dental implants. These specialists receive advanced training to deal with issues of oral inflammation, gum disease, and even repairing dental implants. They go through extra training even after dental school and keep up to date on the latest techniques and procedures. All dentists are required to complete courses in identifying and treating periodontal disease, but a periodontist specializes in this area and has the ultimate expertise in effectively treating the disease. When searching for a periodontist, make sure you choose one with a good reputation and expertise in treating periodontal disease.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is more commonly known simply as “gum disease.” Gingivitis, which is a simple inflammation of the gums, is a form of periodontal disease. The more extreme and serious condition is peridontitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can turn into peridontitis. Gums become sore and swollen and eventually infected. It is a serious condition that needs to be treated or it will only continue to spread. It is caused by bacteria from plaque. If you regularly brush and floss, periodontal disease should not become an issue for you. Risk factors include:
- Smoking: often leads to periodontal disease
- Stress: prevents your body from fighting off infection.
- Certain medications: medications that affect your saliva flow can keep your mouth from naturally getting rid of bacteria.
- Illness: AIDS, cancer, and their treatments can affect your dental health
- Hormonal changes (in women): gums can become more sensitive, which makes it easier for gingivitis to develop.
- Diabetes: this condition puts you at a higher risk for dental infection.
Treatment prescribed by your Plymouth Meeting periodontist includes treating the infection, potentially changing your diet or lifestyle, and simple dental procedures combined with some medication. Excellent dental hygiene is always encouraged and will help keep the infection at bay until it is completely healed. Most dental issues can be prevented with regular brushing and flossing, along with annual dental visits.
Best Plymouth Meeting Periodontist
Plymouth Valley Dental is proud to provide the community with the best Plymouth meeting periodontists around. Our dentists are skilled experts at preventing, identifying, and treating periodontal disease. If you schedule regular dental visits, we will always conduct a thorough exam in case there are any concerns. Periodontal disease doesn’t happen overnight and can usually be identified before it becomes a serious problem. If we notice gingivitis during your routine check up, we will make sure to discuss that with you and come up with a plan. Call our office today to make your next appointment and take a proactive approach to avoiding gum disease!
