Gum disease is one of the most common chronic oral health issues, and it is often not one that can be addressed by a general dentist. More serious or aggressive cases of gum disease often need to be treated by a specialist in the area, a type of dentist known as a periodontist. If you are considering visiting a periodontist in Sacramento, CA, this information can help you decide.
Who Needs to See a Periodontist?
A periodontist provides treatment for individuals suffering from gum disease. Some of the symptoms of gum disease include chronic bad breath or pain in the gums. It may also be accompanied by bleeding from the gums after eating or brushing your teeth. Loose teeth or teeth that appear to grow larger or longer due to receding gums are also a sign of gum disease. If left untreated, teeth can ultimately become loose or fall out when the gum tissue becomes too weak to support them.
Sometimes gum disease is comorbid with serious medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Gum disease can aggravate these medical problems, which is another good reason to treat it as soon as possible.
What Services Can a Periodontist Perform?
In addition to treating gum disease, a periodontist can also help mitigate some of the damage caused by unhealthy gums. If you suffer from loose or missing teeth due to damaged gums, a periodontist can help install surgical dental implants that function almost like real teeth. Dental implants screw into a socket that is installed in the jaw bone. They allow the patient to eat and drink just like regular teeth would, and, unlike removable dentures, they can be cleaned alongside the patient’s natural teeth by regular brushing and flossing.
Drs. Jonathan and C. Thaddeus Szymanowski are skilled and trusted periodontists in Sacramento, CA. To schedule an appointment with them, call 866-898-8701 today.