When to See a Periodontist
Should your general dentist or a hygienist find signs of periodontal disease during the course of your checkup or other dental care appointments, they may recommend a consultation with Dr. Novack. Alternatively, you may choose to see a periodontist on your own. A referral is not necessary to be seen at our office. In fact, should you experience any of the following 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 bad breath (halitosis) which persists despite daily oral cleaning can point to a gum infection that has spread into the jawbone (periodontitis).
- Loose teeth and gum recession Longer looking or loose feeling teeth indicate gum recession and the destruction of the supporting jawbone due to periodontal disease.
Related health concerns
The health of patients with heart disease, diabetes, osteopenia-osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis or recurrent respiratory infections can be jeopardized by periodontal infections. Bacterial infection present in one’s gums does spread through the blood stream, affecting other parts of the body.