What Are Periodontics and How Can Your Dentist Help You Identify Problems?

Periodontics is the discipline of dentistry that studies and promotes the health of the gums and other structures that support the teeth, and a periodontist is a dentist with additional the additional training and education in this area of oral health. There are several conditions associated with periodontics and your dentist can help you identify and treat these issues. If you are looking to find the best periodontics downtown Los Angeles solutions, you can hire Historic Core Dental Care.

Gingivitis and Periodontitis

Gingivitis is a condition of the periodontal area that occurs when tartar and plaque, which contain a vast amount of bacteria, are left on the teeth and infect the surrounding gum tissue. Gingivitis is a relatively mild form of gum disease, though, and common periodontics can reverse it with regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings. When gingivitis continues to progress, it can turn into periodontitis, which occurs when the gums pull away from the teeth and allow for the pockets between them to become infected. This often leads to tooth and bone decay, and as a last resort, the affected teeth must be removed.

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Risk Factors for Periodontics

Although the most common cause of diseases of the periodontics is poor oral hygiene, there are a number of other risk factors that can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. These include smoking, certain illnesses such as cancer, diabetes or AIDS, prescription medications that can affect bone density or cause a dry mouth, hormonal changes in women and girls, and even a genetic predisposition to issues with periodontics. You should discuss all of these issues with your periodontist downtown Los Angeles dentist and be sure to bring up any concerns that you may have.

Regular Dental Checkups

In order for your dentist to better help you identify problems with periodontics early, it is best to schedule an appointment for a cleaning and check-up once every six months. This way, your dentist can identify the early stages of gingivitis such as slight inflammation of the gums, bleeding of the gums after brushing, and even halitosis, or bad breath, which can be an early symptom of periodontics. You can expect your dentist to ask you about your medical and dental history, any medications that you may take, and whether or not you smoke or use other tobacco products.

Treatments and Options

The underlying cause of most periodontics-related problems is infection, so this is the focus of the treatments. Your dentist will likely guide you in changing your behaviors, such as providing information about quitting smoking and good at-home oral hygiene. In some cases, the dentist may also prescribe antibiotics and do what is known as a deep cleaning on your teeth. This removes plaque and tarter that can build up along the gum line and helps to prevent infection. What’s more, the dentist may also use a laser to remove the buildup, which is a more comfortable method of deep cleaning.
Issues with periodontics can cause pain, discomfort, and a poor aesthetic appearance. If left untreated, it can lead to severe tooth decay and the eventual loss of teeth. Fortunately, periodontists are trained to spot these issues early and offer treatment options, but it is up to you to schedule your regular cleanings and checkups.

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