When Should You Visit a Fort Lauderdale Periodontist?

You might drive past a periodontist’s office everyday and never require their services. Many people do not of course.

But there may come a time when you do need to visit one. If you live in Fort Lauderdale or the surrounding areas of Broward County there are some things you might need to know; specifically, what is a periodontist and when should you visit one?

What is a Periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants – from the American Academy of Periodontology.

Read more here about what periodontists do and what they treat.

When Should I Schedule an Appointment with a Periodontist?

Periodontal treatment may be sought in several ways. Your general dentist or a hygienist may recommend a consultation with a periodontist if they find signs of periodontal disease through the course of a checkup or other dental care appointment.

You may also decide to see a periodontist on your own as a referral is not necessary to be seen at our office.

In fact, if you experience any of these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at our office without delay:

• Bleeding while brushing or eating normal foods. Unexplained bleeding while performing regular cleaning or consuming food is the most common sign of a periodontal infection.
• Bad breath. Ongoing halitosis (bad breath), which continues despite rigorous oral cleaning, can point to periodontitis, gingivitis or the beginnings of a gum infection.
• Loose teeth and gum recession. Longer-looking and loose-feeling teeth can indicate recession of the gums and/or bone loss as a result of periodontal disease.
• Related health concerns. Patients with heart disease, diabetes, osteopenia or osteoporosis are often diagnosed with correlating periodontal infections. The bacterial infection can spread through the blood stream, affecting other areas of the body.
• When referred to by your dentist or another dental specialist. They will refer you to see a periodontist if they believe your health can benefit from the visit.