Periodontist

Extra resources for Periodontist include the following:

A Periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the periodontium, which refers to the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. On TV and other media, you may have heard this being referred to as gum disease. The field in which this specialization belongs to is called periodontology and its existence is not well-known in the mainstream.

Apart from completing the mandatory studies to become a dentist, those wanting to become a Periodontist must also do another 3 years of study to specialize in gum disease. This is typically offered as post-graduate program at most educational institutions. Most countries have dental associations that monitor, control and promote periodontology to dentists and the wider community.

There are a number of signs and symptoms you should be on the lookout for before deciding to see one. The following are some indicators of periodontitis:

Red gums are a sure sign that something’s not going well with your gums.
If your gums start to bleed while brushing or flossing, then you may be in the early stages of periodontal disease
Inflammation of the gums
Bad breath could be the result of poor oral hygiene and hence gum disease
Receding gums is an indication that your gums are being eaten away by disease

If this may the first time you’ve heard about this specialist type of dentist, then it certainly won’t be the last time. There’s a good chance that in the near future you will need one, given latest statistics which show that more than 80% of Americans suffer from some form of gum disease. The reality is that most of these people are not even aware that they have it.

It’s only a matter of time before periodontology becomes more well-known as more and more people succumb to its effects. Expect to be paying your local Periodontist a visit if you are currently not taking good care of your gums.