Dentistry is an intricate science. An industry or field that is taken for granted and under-appreciated. Just think about the nutrition your body needs to maintain your simple daily functions. All that nutrition; both food and drink, must enter your body through your mouth. Once you have realized that you can grasp how important your mouth, your teeth, your gums, and all oral soft tissue, is such a huge contributor in your game of life.
What Exactly Does a Periodontist Do?
The dental sciences have nine distinct areas of specialties. We will first describe these specialties prior to focusing on your periodontist. The first and most basic area of dentistry is the general dentist, or your family dentist. You should be seeing your family dentist twice a year for regular, preventative examinations. They will maintain a running history of your oral health and then complete each visit by professionally cleaning your teeth. The family dentist does not have either the necessary tools or the educational background to address specific procedures. They will have working relationships with the following in your community: an orthodontist to treat teeth alignment, an oral surgeon for challenging tooth extractions or jaw surgery, a prosthodontist for difficult dental crowns, dental bridges, dentures, dental implants and veneers, an endodontist for root canal therapy, and finally your periodontist for health issues regarding the soft tissue of your gums.
We will now categorize the questions related to your periodontist. Questions about healthy gums versus those pertaining to gum disease.
Questions Pertaining to Gum Disease
- What are the causes of your gum disease? - At any time during an average day you will have over a 100 varied species of bacteria inside your mouth. These bacteria are normal and necessary to navigate your food intake. But if you do not practice good oral hygiene when it comes to consistently brushing your teeth twice a day that bacteria create a clear sticky substance called plaque on your teeth. That plaque contains sugars and acids that attack the teeth creating decay and cavities. If the plaque comes in contact with the soft tissue of the gums it will cause an immediate gum infection. Other than the primary cause being neglect from poor oral hygiene, other causes can be from smoking habits, your family genetics, how you manage stress, unhealthy diet choices, your age, and any other medical illnesses.
- What are the signs or symptoms of gum disease? - Gum disease is almost painless, so you must look for visual signs. The first sign is the swelling of your gums. Or you might notice a change in the color. Your gums will change to a deeper shade of pink or even red. Those close to you might comment about your bad breath, or you may notice an unusual taste in your mouth. These are all signs of gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. When the disease progresses, your gums will begin to bleed, and the swollen gums will pull away and recede from the teeth. This creates deeper pockets contributing to the disease acceleration because food particles can collect in these pockets. If neglected further, you might notice a loose tooth as a result of some bone loss.
- Are there distinct types of gum disease? - There are progressive stages that the gum disease advances through. The first stage is called gingivitis. This is when the gum infection begins. This is also the level in which the disease can be easily stopped and reversed. The second stage is call periodontitis. At this stage damage will be sustained, like some bone loss and loose teeth. Therefore, consistent, preventive dental examinations are so important.
- What happens at your first visit with the Periodontist? - The periodontist will identify the intensity of the advancement of the disease. A thorough examination and new x-rays will reveal the condition of your teeth below the surface of your gumline. An explanation of the condition and the necessary treatment plan will be discussed, and you both will, as a team, agree to the plan of action.
- How rare is gum disease? - Gum disease is not rare at all. In fact, almost 50% of American adults over the age of 30 are currently experiencing some stage of gum disease. This problem is usually about neglect and not exercising good oral hygiene at home.
- How do you treat gum disease? - The source is the plaque, or an even hardened version of plaque called tartar. They both are loaded with bacteria, sugars, and acids, causing the infection. At first the teeth must be cleaned and then the teeth below the gum lines will also need be deep cleaned. This process is called scaling or root planing. The deliberate, manual scaling process removes the plaque, the source of the disease, and the planing makes the roots smooth so the plaque cannot adhere to it. With the possible addition of some oral antibiotics the gums will return to normal health in just several days.
- Does the procedure hurt? - Simple deep cleaning often does not even need a local anesthetic. If the scaling must go deeper than a local anesthetic will be administered to numb the tissue and control any discomfort. Your gums will be tender following the procedure, but an over-the-counter pain reliever can address this.
- Is gum disease contagious? - Not really. Even though the disease is the result of an inflammatory reaction under the surface of the gums it might be best to not share a fork or spoon with someone that has gum disease.
- Is my child at risk for gum disease? - Children and adolescents rarely get any periodontal disease. It is still a suitable time to introduce the good habits of brushing and flossing their teeth.
- Is gum disease hereditary? - Yes, it is. Research has proven a connection between genetics and gum disease. Even though neglect and plaque are the primary cause, other causes have been identified, such as some prescription medications taken orally. Smoking inhibits the normal functions of the gum tissue. So does hormonal shifts such as menstrual cycles or a pregnancy.
Questions Pertaining to Healthy Gums
- Can you correct your smile if you see too much gum? - Affectionately called a gummy smile, this is quite common. When the proportions of your gums and teeth are out of balance you will see more gums when you smile. This cosmetic perception can be corrected with a simple procedure called crown lengthening. With the administration of a local anesthesia, the periodontist will remove a tiny piece of the gum and expose more of the tooth correcting the imbalance.
- Does the periodontist do more than treat gums? - Most periodontists are trained to include dental implants in their practice. After a tooth is extracted or lost, the gap should be filled promptly. The neighboring teeth will shift and drift into the space affecting your bite alignment. A traditional dental bridge could fill the gap, or a permanent dental implant can be surgically placed. The dental implant has become the new gold standard for tooth restoration.
How to Maintain Healthy Gums
- Should you see your Family Dentist or your Periodontist? - If you have experienced some level of gum disease the periodontist would prefer a follow up visit to make sure the disease has been properly abated or reversed. There could be more serious issues at play with some bone loss and the correct regeneration of tissue. When your gums have returned to normal health, the periodontist will suggest you return to your family dentist to maintain your ongoing dental history with them.
- What do you need to do to keep your gums healthy? - The best and easiest way to keep your teeth and your gums healthy is to follow industry recommendations. It would be fabulous if you brushed after each meal. The health industry strongly recommends that you should brush your teeth twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time. Also replacing your worn-out tooth brush every six months. At your six-month exam, your family dentist will usually send you home with a new brush. Flossing once a day also removes the plaque from those hard-to-reach areas between your teeth.
Other Issues Related to Unhealthy Gums
- Is gum disease linked to diabetes? - The answer is yes. If you have diabetes, you are more likely to have gum disease because of your inability to fight off infection. Research has proven that the increase in gum disease will also affect your blood sugar levels. The two indeed can go hand in hand.
- Does gum disease cause cardiovascular issues? - Research studies have substantiated a correlation between gum disease and cardiovascular disease. Both diseases have chronic inflammatory symptoms. Untreated gum disease can result in an increase of inflammation in your body which will then increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. It has also been proven there is a direct correlation between gum disease and the possibility of having a stroke.
- Does dental insurance cover the treatments? - The periodontal office staff will first check with your dental insurance provider to see if you have coverage. Many dental insurance companies see the benefits of natural teeth preservation as long as possible versus implants and bridges. It is quite possible they may also cover two dental cleanings annually.
- Can you delay having treatments if you have gum disease? - You should not prolong treating gum disease. With each additional day you are compounding the disease, causing damage to the bone and the infection may at some point enter your bloodstream. If this occurs other parts of your body will develop medical issues.
Some General Questions for a Periodontist
- How long does it take to get an appointment? - If periodontal disease is the diagnosis, then there is a sense of urgency to be seen. Your family dentist will communicate this with the referral.
- How do you manage patients with a dental phobia? - If you experience an anxiety before seeing a dentist, you are not alone. Address the issue with both your family dentist and your periodontist. The dental office will suggest a variety of successful relaxation techniques and sedation that will put you at ease.
- Do you participate in continuing education in the field of periodontics? - A periodontist initially completed four years of dental school then finished an additional three years specializing in periodontics. They will be licensed through the American Board of Periodontology. To maintain their certification, they must commit to continuing education. Conferences, workshops, and classes will keep them up to date on on the latest in treatments, technology, and innovative skills.
- Do you have pictures of previous successful cosmetic accomplishments? - This question usually pertains to the cosmetic crown lengthening procedure or possibly a successful dental implant. By reviewing some successful procedures, you can find common ground with the periodontist, to be on the same page regarding the objectives of the treatment you are scheduling.
- Does your office offer payment plans? - If you have dental insurance coverage, confirm first that the periodontist is in the policies network of approved providers. Check to see if you might need a referral from your family dentist before proceeding. Some dental offices offer financing plans while some may require a down payment. Ask these questions before services are rendered.
- Does this Periodontist feel as if they are conservative or aggressive in their treatments? - Ask the periodontist about your specific case. Then try to grasp their approach. Remember, your treatment may range from a simple cleaning to undergoing surgery. Address all options before making an appointment.
Trust the Referral
If you have developed a good relationship with your family dentist and gum disease has developed, trust their suggested referral when they recommend a periodontist for treatment. They will have developed this business relationship and earned trust based on the successful results from prior patient referrals. This referral from your trusted family dentist will minimize your stress in pursuing and establishing someone that will be joining your oral hygiene team. Someone that you will trust in assisting you with an important part of your anatomy.
