Want to Save Your Teeth? Talk to a Periodontist

Most people think that the biggest threat to your teeth is cavities. But the truth is that cavities are unlikely to cause the loss of your tooth. Although cavities could lead to tooth infections that can threaten your tooth, it’s actually much more likely that you will lose teeth to gum disease, and periodontitis.

So if you are looking to save your teeth, you should talk to a periodontist about your gum disease.

Gum Disease Is Common

One of the reasons why gum disease is such a high risk for tooth loss is that it’s common. About half of all adults over the age of 30 have periodontitis. A full 30% have moderate periodontitis, which puts your teeth at risk by starting receding gums and bone loss around the teeth. Nearly 9% have severe gum disease, where teeth are in imminent danger of loss.

You may have gum disease if you experience:

• Red, swollen gums
• Bleeding gums when you brush
• Food stuck between teeth and gums
• Teeth that are seeming to get longer
• Black triangles around your teeth
• Sensitivity to heat and cold especially if you feel it in the roots
• Teeth that move significantly

If you have several of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to a periodontist about gum disease and determine what treatments might be necessary to save your teeth.

In-Depth Expertise

One of the best reasons to see a periodontist when your teeth are threatened is because your periodontist has the knowledge necessary to treat gum disease. A periodontist is a specialist in the treatment of gum disease, and periodontitis, with years of specialized dental training, specifically focused on the gums, bones, and other tissues that surround your teeth. A periodontist understands the full range of options available, from noninvasive treatments to surgery, and can recommend the best treatment for you.

Flexibility Preserves Your Options

Another reason to see a periodontist is that a periodontist can prepare your jaw for the optimal treatment option, no matter what that may be. A periodontist is prepared to perform procedures related to preserving your teeth or removing them to place dental implants. And a periodontist is capable of placing implants right away or working to heal the site before implants are placed.

No matter what course you decide to take, a periodontist is capable of performing either, and won’t push you to one decision because it’s all they can provide.

If you are facing the possibility of losing a tooth, don’t give up until you’ve talked to a periodontist. If you’re looking for a periodontist in Beverly Hills, please call (310) 275-5325 for an appointment at Nicolas A. Ravon, DDS, MSD.

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