About the Duties of a Periodontist
The job title “dentist” has come to be a household name, which is great because dentists have an important job. Dentists are responsible for creating treatment plans that maintain the oral health of patients, monitoring the development of potential diseases, and much more. Another job that is not as widely known is that of a periodontist, but this job is just as important because the gums are vital to one’s overall oral health. A periodontist has the following responsibilities:
- Preventing, diagnosing, and treating periodontal disease, also known as gum disease
- Providing implants
- Performing cosmetic surgical procedures
- Diagnosing and treating gum conditions
- Providing preventative treatment for gum health issues
- Solving gum issues like sensitivity
Why Is Gum Health So Important?
The reason why periodontists perform an essential area of work comes down to the importance of our gum health, which can also play a role in the health of your body as a whole. Taking care of your gums sets the foundation for good oral health, which is a practice with many benefits that can carry you through life.
Below are some reasons why gum health is so important:
- Having healthy gums might lower your risk of heart disease.
The health of your gums runs much deeper than you might think. Studies show that there is a link between gum disease and heart disease, and the American Dental Association and the American Heart Association have acknowledged the relationship between these two disease. Heart attack and stroke patients tend to have higher instances of gum disease. This might be because inflammation in the gums and bacteria can lead to narrowing of the body’s arteries. No matter what the cause might be, this is one great reason to be proactive about gum health and why the job of a periodontist is so essential.
- Gums are responsible for keeping your teeth in place.
Just as you, your dentist, and your periodontist are responsible for your gum care, your gums are responsible for keeping your teeth in place, and that is a big job! No matter how well you take care of your teeth, if your gums are not healthy enough to support them, it will be a lost cause. Your gums are essentially a seal that goes around the teeth and protects the sensitive tissues underneath. If the gums are not taken care of, what happens is that bacteria is able to sit on the gums and teeth and small pockets form, creating the perfect space for plaque to develop. Over time, this will erode the gum tissues and leave the teeth vulnerable to cavities and even tooth loss.
- Healthy gums can lead to having a better memory.
A report in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry showed a connection between a strong memory and strong gum health. On the other hand, the participants who had gingivitis, which is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness, and swelling, did not do well on those tests in comparison. As it turns out, remembering to take care of your gums and visit your periodontist can also help you remember other important things in life!
Bellaire Periodontics would love to help you be proactive about your gum health. Give us a call at (713) 636-9734 or contact us online to find out how we can help you.