Periodontal care is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the prevention and treatment of periodontitis (gum disease), a chronic infection that affects the gums and jawbone. Below, we discuss nine reasons to visit a periodontal specialist.
9 Reasons To Visit A Periodontal Specialist
Receding Gums
Gums that “pull away” from your teeth, exposing more of their surfaces, are called receding gums. Receding gums can jeopardize the health of your teeth because the top part of their roots becomes exposed to bacteria, acid, and plaque buildup. Roots are more vulnerable to these risk factors because they are not covered with enamel like the rest of the tooth but by a softer material called cementum. Thus, cavities and tooth decay appear faster on the exposed roots than on the crowns of the teeth.