Oral hygiene is of utmost importance for a healthy mouth. Taking care of your teeth and gums, tongue, and gums ensures that your teeth and gums are healthy. It prevents bacteria from building up in your mouth and causing periodontal gum disease.

What is periodontist?

A periodontist is a dental specialist who has received extensive training and education in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults; however, it’s easily preventable with daily brushing and flossing and regular visits to the dentist for deep cleanings and checkups. If you’re experiencing symptoms of gum disease – red, swollen or bleeding gums – it’s important to seek treatment right away to prevent any further damage to the teeth and gums. And treatment by a periodontist is an especially good option because the expert has experience treating the soft tissues of the mouth as well as teeth.

Both general dentists and pediatric dentists provide oral care to their patients, but while a pediatric dentist specializes in children’s oral health and growth, a periodontist specializes in the prevention and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and other supporting structures of the teeth. This means patients of all ages can benefit from seeing a periodontist. In fact, these specialists are the first line of defense when it comes to preventing periodontal disease in patients. They’ll help patients restore their gum health through a personalized treatment plan that may include nonsurgical and surgical therapies when needed.

Several factors can lead to gum disease, from poor oral hygiene to family history of the disease, smoking, and other factors such as diabetes, heart disease, and more. Regardless of the cause, early diagnosis and treatment is essential to halting any bone damage or decay that may occur around the the roots of the teeth. Fortunately, early detection of the disease is possible with the help of your dentist and a periodontist. If you notice any signs of gum disease, you should call to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Treating gum disease often requires more than a simple deep cleaning at the dentist’s office. During your consultation, we’ll determine the root cause of your disease and decide on a treatment plan that’s right for you

What does periodontist treat?

A periodontist treats patients that suffer from gum disease and infections of the gums. Gum disease affects roughly 80% of adults at some point, which is why preventative dental care is so important for healthy teeth and gums.

Patients typically visit their periodontist for cleanings and checkups every six months. They’ll also refer patients that need deep cleanings, scalings or root planing treatments to a specialist.

If you experience bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth, gums that are swollen or overly sensitive to the touch, loose teeth or receding gums be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist for a checkup and professional cleaning as soon as possible. These symptoms could be an indication of the early onset of gingivitis or periodontitis. Patients with mild cases of periodontal disease are typically treated in-office with a deep cleaning and custom mouth guard. More severe cases of periodontal disease will likely require a surgical solution to treat the infection and help restore the health of the gums.

Advantages of seeing a periodontist

* A periodontist is highly trained to treat your periodontal disease, gum disease and any related oral concerns.

* Periodontists focus more on preventing tooth loss than a general dentist does.

* The field of periodontics is closely related to general dentistry. Periodontists are dentists too!

* Periodontists often receive referrals from dentists when patients need more advanced treatment.

* Your insurance may cover more services with a specialist than with a dentist.

* Having a doctor that focuses solely on treating problems in your gums and teeth can lead to improved care.

Resource: have offices across the Portland metropolitan area in Oregon, so contact us to schedule an appointment today.

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects approximately 75 percent of the population. The most frequent causes of periodontal disease are poor oral hygiene practices or the failure to visit the dentist regularly for routine cleanings. While mild forms of the disease can be managed with regular brushing and flossing, advanced cases may require restorative procedures such as periodontal surgery or dental implants. Dr. Thomas McDonald specializes in this field of dentistry and offers a variety of treatments for patients suffering from gum disease in Portland, OR.

One of the most common treatments offered by Dr. McDonald is the scaling and root planing procedure. This non-surgical technique is used to remove tartar buildup from under the gum line. This is one of the most effective methods for combating the effects of gingivitis and preventing further damage to the gums and teeth. When performed correctly, this minimally invasive procedure can be a very effective method of removing plaque from your teeth