7 Signs It’s Time to See a Periodontal Specialist

There’s a reason you’ve been told to brush and floss every day. If you don’t, you risk developing gingivitis, which is a mild form of gum disease. This happens when the plaque and tartar on your teeth result in the growth of bacteria that causes the inflammation of your gums.

If gingivitis isn’t treated, it can develop into periodontitis. When this occurs, the gums begin pulling away from your teeth, causing spaces to form that can easily become infected. If periodontitis isn’t treated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support your teeth can be destroyed and the teeth may need to be removed.

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7 Signs You Should See a Periodontal Specialist

If you are showing signs of periodontitis, then you should schedule an appointment with a periodontal specialist right away to prevent potentially serious damage to your gums and teeth. The following are seven signs that you should see a periodontal specialist as soon as you can:

1. Your Gums Are Swollen or Red

One of the first signs that you might be developing periodontitis is red or swollen gums.

2. Your Gums Are Bleeding

In addition to a swollen or red appearance, your gums may begin bleeding. If you are developing periodontitis, then this will happen more often than not when you are brushing or flossing your teeth.

3. You Have Chronic Bad Breath

If you have a sour or unpleasant taste in your mouth more often than you don’t—and if it seems to come back no matter how often you brush your teeth or rinse with mouthwash—there’s likely bacterial buildup along with the toxins the bacteria produce.

4. It Hurts to Chew or Eat

If you’re experiencing pain in your teeth when you chew or eat, you most likely have advanced periodontitis. The pain is most likely a result of an infection around your tooth root that’s caused by bacteria. It will hurt to chew or eat when you have such an infection because of the pressure that you’re putting on the affected area.

5. Your Teeth Are Shifting or Crooked

This means that your teeth are loose or weak, which can happen when the roots of your teeth have been affected.

6. Your Teeth Are Sensitive to Temperature

If your teeth are sensitive to extreme temperatures, such as when you eat hot soup or bite into an ice cream cone, then there’s a chance that the root of your affected tooth has been affected by periodontitis. There’s a good chance that this sensitivity is a result of the tooth’s root being exposed due to receding gums.

7. You Have Diabetes

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes, it could be a result of periodontitis. This is because an infection can cause your body to stop using insulin properly, which in turn can lead to diabetes. Diabetes can worsen your gum issues as well since it makes you more prone to infections.

If you notice any of these seven signs, then you may have periodontitis—or be on your way to developing periodontitis. A periodontal specialist can diagnose the problem and help prevent any issues from growing worse. If you need to see a periodontal specialist, then be sure to contact us at Central Florida Periodontics & Implantology today.