What is a periodontist?

In dental practice, as in medicine, there are general dentists and those who focus on particular fields of dentistry. A periodontist focuses on taking care of the gums.

Gum disease is extremely common, and most adults will experience it at some point in their life. For many, it shows up in a mild form. If you’ve seen blood after you’ve brushed your teeth, chances are, you had a mild form of gum disease. Careful brushing and a good clean at the dentist are often enough to resolve this.

If the disease progresses into a more serious form, then you might need the services of a periodontist in Ealing. This is when the gums start to become detached from the teeth, putting the teeth at risk of falling out or becoming so damaged that they need to be removed.

At Ikon Dental Suite, our periodontist in Ealing is passionate about prevention, and helping our patients to resolve issues with their gums before they get to the tooth loss stage. Fortunately, gum disease is preventable, and by keeping up with a great oral hygiene routine, you minimise your risk of tooth failure.

Here are our top tips for keeping your gums in excellent condition:

1. Brush twice a day. We all have this imprinted into us from early childhood, but it’s worth repeating. A soft-bristled brush is best, so you don’t cause any unnecessary damage to the gums;
2. Clean in between. Use floss or interdental brushes to remove food that gets stuck in the gaps between teeth. These gaps are ideal breeding grounds for plaque and bacteria, so it’s vital to keep them clean;
3. Eat healthily. Again, we’ve all received this message many times in childhood for a number of reasons, but for your teeth, it really is key. A diet low in processed sugars will slow the growth of disease-causing bacteria;
4. See your periodontist in Ealing. We know it’s probably not your favourite task to have your teeth cleaned, but it is necessary. Only dental equipment can remove the hardened plaque and tartar that cause gum disease. And, our periodontist in Ealing can also spot the early signs of gum disease, which only a professional eye can see.

‍