A periodontist is a highly trained individual in the dental field who often collaborates with dentists to restore the health of gums. They are experts in periodontal disease, a problem in the mouth that affects a large number of U.S. residents. Such issues are not obvious to people right away, but left untreated, gum disease can cause larger problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
Patients should, of course, schedule regular dental checkups so that their dentist can observe their gums, but they should also periodically look at their gums on their own for signs of swollenness, redness, tenderness, and bleeding. Additionally, persistent bad breath can be an indicator that teeth may be loose or are pulling away from the gums.
Thankfully, when noticed in the early stages, gum disease can be treated via a minor procedure by a periodontist or dentist. They will explain what is involved and design a treatment plan that may involve surgery or can be remedied in a nonsurgical way.
