Guidelines for Visiting the Dentist and the Periodontist
Guidelines for Visiting the Dentist and the Periodontist
Regular flossing and brushing are important first steps in helping to maintain good oral health, but when and how often should you visit a dentist and a periodontist?
Leading periodontists and dentists, Pittsburgh, PA, like Dr. Mark J. Weingarden, stress the importance of seeing a dentist and periodontist regularly. Dr. Weingarden offers the following guidelines.
Dentists are licensed healthcare professionals with extensive education and training in oral health. A licensed dentist may be a DMD (doctor of dental medicine) or a DDS (doctor of dental surgery). The education and training for the degrees are synonymous, but some dental institutes prefer the DMD title, while others prefer the DDS title.
Proper oral hygiene should begin with newborns. A warm, moist cloth should be used to wipe the gums after feeding infants to help prevent thrush. The American Dental Association recommends a "well baby check-up" for the teeth before a baby's first birthday. As children reach their toddler years, parents should teach their children how to brush, and supervise them in the task. Teaching children the importance of brushing and caring for their teeth and gums while they are toddlers will help instill good habits for the future.
From age one to 101, everyone should visit the dentist at least once a year for a regular check-up. Adults should consider visiting the dentist at least twice a year for check-ups. Older adults are still at risk of getting cavities and are at an increased risk of getting gum disease (periodontal disease) or oral cancer.
Periodontal disease is a "silent disease" because it often presents no pain or symptoms in the early stages. One of the most common earlier warning signs is bleeding gums. Repeatedly experiencing bleeding gums while brushing may indicate periodontal disease. If periodontal disease is suspected or diagnosed, you may decide to seek a periodontist for further care.
Periodontists are licensed dentists (DMD or DDS) with advanced post doctoral training in periodontics: the study, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum diseases.
Periodontist treatments include preventative and rehabilitative measures. Dr. Weingarden says, "Prevention is key and begins with regular check-ups twice a year. Discovering and treating gum disease in its early stages helps patients avoid or minimize expensive, frustrating treatments in the future."
Periodontal diseases are caused by a build-up of plaque, tartar, and calculus on the teeth. Regular brushing and flossing can help remove plaque and tartar but calculus can only be removed with professional cleaning. Further, plaque and tartar that builds up below the gum line that cannot be removed through routine professional cleanings or brushing and flossing, must be removed with scaling and root planing.
If periodontal disease is allowed to progress without treatment, the supporting gum tissue and the bone that holds the teeth will begin to erode. Advanced periodontal disease may require any number of treatments such as laser treatments, bone or gum grafting, and dental implants.
Higher risk factors contributing to gum disease include: alcohol and tobacco use, poor diet, stress, clenching and grinding teeth, diabetes, and certain medications. Dr. Weingarden recommends that people with one or more high risk factor for periodontal disease visit a periodontist at least twice a year, or more, if directed by the periodontist.
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