A periodontist is a dentist who has acquired specialization in diagnosing and treating periodontal or gum disease. During the initial checkup, a periodontist red wing mn can help patients prevent gum disease from developing via routine dental cleanings.
If you are thinking what is the difference between a general dentist and a periodontist, a periodontist receives extra training that specifically includes the latest techniques and technology to effectively diagnose and treat a gum disease. If you suspect that you have gum disease, visiting a general dentist may not help and you may need to visit a periodontist red wing mn.
What are the Symptoms of a Gum Disease?
In general, a gum disease can easily be identified by an infection in your gums. If this ongoing infection is not treated, it becomes severe and leads to bone and tooth loss. At times, you may not even notice the symptoms of gum disease before it progresses into an advanced stage.
To identify gum disease, you need to watch for the following symptoms:
1. Bleeding while brushing or flossing.
2. Pain or sores in the mouth.
3. Redness, swelling, and tenderness in gums.
4. Separation in teeth.
5. Gum recession.
6. Bad breath.
7. Bite changes.
8. Accumulation of pus between the gum and teeth.
9. Increased tooth sensitivity.
It is important to understand here that gum disease can cause significant health issues when left untreated for long. Visiting a periodontist Winona in the early stages is crucial to prevent this from turning into a severe condition. You can reverse your gum disease if it is identified in the early or gingivitis stage.
What are the Stages of a Gum Disease?
In general, gum disease has four stages that range from mild to advanced:
1. Gingivitis
This is the first stage of gum disease that is caused by a buildup of plaque at or around the gumline. If left untreated, it can develop into the next phase. In addition, this is the only stage of gum disease that can be reversed. Hence, make sure that you pay close attention to your symptoms at this stage and visit a periodontist red wing mn at the earliest.
2. Slight Gum Disease
During the second stage, the gum disease begins to affect both the bone and fibres supporting tooth roots. Once this stage is reached, the infection starts penetrating the bones and begins to destroy them. Root planning and scaling at this stage can be used to deep clean your teeth and gums.
3. Moderate Gum Disease
This stage is marked by a pronounced infection in the gums that begins to create periodontal pockets. These pockets create a breeding ground for bacteria to attack the bones and also affect the bloodstream underneath the gums. A professional help from a periodontist red wing mn at this stage can help in managing the gum disease.
4. Advanced Gum Disease
This stage is called as periodontitis. During this stage, the bacteria begin to deteriorate the bone supporting the teeth. At this stage, the periodontist will clean deep bacteria-filled pockets with the help of a laser. If even this stage is left untreated, it can create gaps in between your teeth, gum recession, and other oral health issues.
What are Gum Disease Treatments?
Based on your condition, the periodontist will recommend any of the below treatments:
1. Dental cleaning.
2. Scaling and root planning
3. Flap surgery or pocket reduction surgery.
4. Bone grafts.
5. Laser gum surgery.
To Sum It Up
Gum disease continues to worsen if left untreated. Hence, it is important to pay attention to your symptoms and schedule an appointment with us here.
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