A periodontist is a dentist that has taken advanced studies in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease. Many people have gum disease and they are not even aware of it, the symptoms are not like a decayed tooth that announces itself with pain. This “silent disease” affects about 50 percent of the adult population to one degree or another, if left untreated it can quickly lead to jaw bone deterioration and tooth loss.
There are a number of good reasons your general or family dentist will refer you to a periodontist in Glenview.
- Advanced care: All general and family dentists are capable of performing basic treatment for gum disorders; this is particularly true when they remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth during a professional cleaning. If your dentist sees that gum disease has gone well below the gum line, resulting in infection between teeth and gums or if your gums are receding, then you can expect to be referred to a periodontist.
- Advanced cleaning: As part of an everyday dental care program, it is wise to have your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. If you have serious gum disease, you may need to have your teeth cleaned more frequently in an effort to defeat the infection. A periodontist in Glenview is the right dental professional for this; he or she can also develop a daily dental hygiene plan that better suits your particular situation.
- General health: There are certain conditions, diabetes for example, that can affect the health of your gums. Some of these conditions result in inflammation of the gum tissue as well as slower healing of the tissue. A periodontist is well aware of the relationship between gum disease and how it relates to the rest of the body and can coordinate a health plan with other professionals.
Don’t put off treatment, in many cases you will be referred to a periodontist by your dentist but you are free to see a periodontist at any time should you sense a problem with your gums.
A periodontist in Glenview specializes in gum disease and other similar disorders. If you notice that your gums are sore or red you are welcome to make an appointment with Dental Specialists of North Shore.
