Periodontists typically recommend scaling and root planing for people with early-stage (mild) gum disease. Periodontal surgery Preshaw, Philip M (15 September 2015). "Detection and Diagnosis of Periodontal Conditions Amenable to Prevention". BMC Oral Health. 15 (S1): S5. doi: 10.1186/1472-6831-15-s1-s5. PMC 4580822. PMID 26390822. Maintaining healthy gums is an essential part of good oral health. While most people brush their teeth regularly, it is not uncommon for people to have a more casual approach to flossing. This is unfortunate because flossing is the most effective way to prevent gum disease, and decay between teeth, helping to keep your smile looking good. What causes gum disease? Genco, Robert J.; Borgnakke, Wenche S. (June 2013). "Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease". Periodontology 2000. 62 (1): 59–94. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0757.2012.00457.x. PMID 23574464.

Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease: bleeding gums, gingival recession, halitosis (bad breath), mobile teeth, ill-fitting dentures and buildup of plaque and calculus. [16] Moderate periodontitis: As periodontitis progresses, you lose even more bone around your teeth. Bacteria continue to erode the ligaments and soft tissues that support your teeth and keep them healthy. At this stage, your gums may become sore and tender. You need multiple implants, which is a more complex procedure with several optional approaches to consider. A periodontist is a specialist who treats issues that affect your gums and the bones in your mouth. What Does a Periodontist Do? The American Dental Association (ADA)-accredited programs are a minimum of three years in length. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, U.S.-trained periodontists are specialists in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases and oral inflammation, and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. [52] Many periodontists also diagnose and treat oral pathology. Historically, periodontics served as the basis for the speciality of oral medicine. Following successful completion of post-graduate training a periodontist becomes board-eligible for the American Board of Periodontology examination. [ citation needed] Maintenance [ edit ]a b c Highfield, J (September 2009). "Diagnosis and classification of periodontal disease". Australian Dental Journal. 54: S11–S26. doi: 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2009.01140.x. PMID 19737262. Oshman, Sarah; El Chaar, Edgard; Lee, Yoonjung Nicole; Engebretson, Steven (25 July 2016). "Effect of patient age awareness on diagnostic agreement of chronic or aggressive periodontitis between clinicians; a pilot study". BMC Oral Health. 17 (1): 27. doi: 10.1186/s12903-016-0258-0. PMC 4960759. PMID 27456238. Gum disease is a common condition affecting the tissues around your teeth. It causes swelling, redness of the gums, and sometimes pain, Avoiding treatment can lead to gum recession and even tooth loss. After periodontal treatment, whether it be surgical or non-surgical, maintenance periodontal therapy is essential for a long-term result and stabilization of periodontal disease. There is also a difference in the maintenance of different types of periodontal disease, as there are different types, such as: [53] Gingivitis [ edit ]

Izumi, Aki; Yoshihara, Akihiro; Hirotomi, Toshinobu; Miyazaki, Hideo (May 2009). "The Relationship Between Serum Lipids and Periodontitis in Elderly Non-Smokers". Journal of Periodontology. 80 (5): 740–748. doi: 10.1902/jop.2009.080584. PMID 19405827. Individual risk factors include: gender, smoking and alcohol consumption, diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis and Vitamin D conditions, stress and genetic factors. [17] 2018 AAP/EFP classification of periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions [ edit ] If you have periodontitis, here are a few questions you may want to ask your dentist or periodontist:Alcohol consumption: more research needs to be conducted in the form of longitudinal studies on the effects of alcohol on the periodontal tissues. However, current studies suggest that alcohol consumption moderately increases one's risk for progression of periodontal disease. [29] Also acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis, it is a type of periodontal disease different than many other periodontal diseases. Clinical characteristics include gingival necrosis (breakdown of the gums), gingival pain, bleeding, halitosis (bad breath), as well as a grey colour to the gingiva and a punched out appearance. [ clarification needed] It is treated through debridement, usually under local anaesthetic due to immense pain. To maintain and treat the condition completely, a chlorhexidine mouthwash should be recommended to the patient to use twice daily, oral health instruction should be provided (using a soft bristle toothbrush or electric toothbrush twice a day) and an interdental cleaning aid, such as floss or interdental brushes, which cleans the areas that the toothbrush cannot reach. The patient should also be educated on proper nutrition and diet and healthy fluid intake. Smoking cessation should occur not only to completely eradicate the disease but also for the health of the patient. Pain control can be done through ibuprofen or paracetamol/acetaminophen. In the case of an immunocompromised patient, antibiotics should be prescribed. Assessment of treatment should be done after 24 hours of treatment and continued every 3–6 months until signs and symptoms are resolved and gingival health and function restored. [55] Chronic periodontitis [ edit ]

a b c d e Cope, Graham; Cope, Anwen (1 July 2011). "The periodontium: an anatomical guide". Dental Nursing. 7 (7): 376–378. doi: 10.12968/denn.2011.7.7.376. A periodontist is a gum specialist. They focus on treating conditions that affect the tissues that support your teeth (such as your gums and jawbone). In addition to graduating from a four-year dental school, a periodontist receives three years of additional training before earning their license to practice periodontics in the U.S. Why would you see a periodontist? When your period is at its heaviest, the blood will Oral health specialists have a focus on supporting you with a brighter smile. In simple terms, both dentists and periodontists are oral care specialists. The difference comes when teeth and bone structure are concerned. We will break down the differences, similarities and specialisms so that you can make an informed decision on how to support your dental issues. Let’s first explore the question of, what is a periodontist? What is a periodontist? Grossi, SG; Zambon, J; Machtei, EE; Schifferle, R; Andreana, S; Genco, RJ; Cummins, D; Harrap, G (May 1997). "Effects of smoking and smoking cessation on healing after mechanical periodontal therapy". Journal of the American Dental Association. 128 (5): 599–607. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.1997.0259. PMID 9150643.a b c Gurenlian, JoAnn R. (31 December 2007). "The Role of Dental Plaque Biofilm in Oral Health". American Dental Hygienists' Association. 81 (suppl 1): 116. a b American Academy of Periodontology. (2019). What is a periodontist?. Retrieved from https://www.perio.org/consumer/what-is-a-periodontist