How Often Should I See My Periodontist In West Loop Chicago?

IMPORTANCE OF PERIODONTIST VISITS

Periodontists are specialists in diagnosing and treating gum diseases and issues related to the structure of your teeth, such as bone loss and inflammation. At Cameo Dental Specialists we perform periodontal maintenance as well as treat gum disease and other gum health issues.

Maintaining Oral Health

The frequency of your visits to the periodontist primarily depends on your specific oral health situation. These visits consist of thorough cleanings and exams to ensure no gum disease is developing.

However, if you’ve previously experienced gum disease, your need to see a periodontist more frequently increases. Dealing with periodontal disease is a continuous process, and these patients may need to schedule appointments more often. Consequently, maintaining regular visits to your periodontist is essential to oral health.

Preventing Gum Disease

Not only does your periodontist provide treatment for existing conditions, but they also play a crucial role in preventative care. Regular check-ups allow your periodontist to detect any early signs of gum disease.

Detecting Early Signs of Oral Issues

When it comes to your dental health, prevention is always the best course. Regular visits to our periodontist can help catch oral health issues early on.

Primarily, our periodontist will perform a detailed check of your entire oral cavity. This includes examining your teeth, gums, tongue, and the supporting structures of your mouth. The main mission here is to detect signs that even you may have overlooked or been unable to spot due to their hidden and subtle nature.

These could include:

Recurrent or chronic bad breath
A change in bite or the fit of partial dentures may indicate shifting teeth due to gum disease
Bleeding after brushing or flossing might be a symptom of early-stage gum disease
Red, irritated, or swollen gums can often signal a gum infection that needs to be addressed

In addition, our periodontist will also measure the depth of your periodontal pockets. These pockets, if deepened, could point towards progressing gum disease. So, a thorough check will allow us to detect any alarming signs and prescribe appropriate treatments or preventive measures.

RECOMMENDED FREQUENCY OF PERIODONTIST VISITS

The American Academy of Periodontology recommends at least two visits per year for patients with good oral health. Patients undergoing treatment for periodontal disease may require more frequent visits, usually every three to four months.

General Guidelines

It’s important to remember signs of gum disease can pop up between check-ups, so it’s also crucial to keep up with daily oral hygiene procedures and keep an eye out for these symptoms yourself. If you notice any changes, don’t hesitate to reach out to our periodontist for advice.

Personalized Care Plans

Everyone’s oral health journey is unique, and so our periodontist will provide a personalized care plan to meet your specific needs. This plan determines how often you will need to visit us. Typically, the frequency of your visits will be heavily influenced by your oral health condition.

There are several key factors that our periodontist will consider when creating your personalized care plan. These could include:

Your oral health history: If your oral health history indicates you’ve had issues like gum disease or you’re prone to cavities and other dental diseases, you may need to visit us more frequently.
Current state of oral health: Are your gums healthy? Do you have any loose teeth? The current condition of your oral health plays a significant role in determining the frequency of your visits.
Oral hygiene routine: A strong, consistent oral hygiene routine can limit the number of visits needed. Brushing twice a day, flossing, and regular use of mouthwash can help maintain gums and teeth health.
Lifestyle factors: Smoking, diets high in sugar, and other lifestyle habits can negatively affect oral health and require more frequent checkups.

We will take all of these factors into account to offer a tailored plan of care that suits your needs. In most cases, we will recommend that you see our periodontist at least once a year if you are a healthy individual. This frequency could increases by as much as once every three to four months for those dealing with periodontal disease.

FACTORS INFLUENCING VISIT FREQUENCY

If you have gum disease we will likely recommend you see us every three to four months for periodontal maintenance and care.

People with other health issues, such as diabetes, HIV, and cancer, may further influence the frequency of visits needed.

YOUR PERIODONTIST IN THE WEST LOOP CHICAGO AREA - WHY CHOOSE US?

Our mission here at Cameo Dental Specialists is to provide the highest quality of patient care to everyone that walks through our door. We are a multi-specialty dental care practice offering an array of dental services, all with compassion and care. We offer five locations throughout Illinois.

FAQS ABOUT PERIODONTIST VISITS

What Are Three Conditions that a Periodontist Might Treat?

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is the main condition that periodontists tackle. Periodontitis and gingivitis are common forms of gum disease that cause inflammation and infection in the gums and, when left untreated, can lead to potentially serious damage such as tooth loss.

Second on the list is gum recession, a condition where your gums pull away from your teeth, exposing more of your tooth or root. This can make your teeth look longer and may also cause tooth sensitivity or tooth loss. Periodontists can provide surgical and non-surgical treatments to manage this condition.

Periodontists often help tackle oral inflammation conditions outside of gum disease. This could include treating oral mucositis, aside effect of cancer treatments like chemotherapy, causing painful inflammation and ulcers in the mouth. Your periodontist can provide relief from such conditions and suggest preventative measures for the future.

What happens during a periodontist visit?

The purpose of visiting our peridontist is to closely monitor your oral health, particularly focusing on your gums, and implement preventive measures against serious oral diseases such as gum disease.

During a periodontal visit we will first review your dental general health history. We will then conduct a thorough examination of your gums to check for any signs of gum disease. We will look at how your teeth fit together when you bite, and might take X-rays or use other methods to examine the bone below your gums.

Plaque and tartar removal are next. Our dental hygienist uses specialized instruments to remove plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from hard-to-reach areas around your teeth and gums that a regular toothbrush cannot reach.

Based on the findings from your examination, our periodontist will discuss a tailored treatment plan with you if necessary. This could involve treatment procedures such as scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) to restore gum health, or more advanced treatments like gum surgery or dental implants in severe cases.

What if I have dental anxiety or fear?

We understand that dental visits, let alone regular check-ups with a specialist like a periodontist, can be a source of anxiety and fear for many. It’s completely natural to feel apprehensive about dental procedures and diagnostics, but it’s absolutely crucial not to let it interfere with your oral health.

For those with dental fears, modern dentistry offers several solutions to ease discomfort and keep anxiety in check. Sedation dentistry provides various levels of sedation to ensure patients are comfortable during dental treatments. Let us know if you are experiencing dental anxiety or fear and we will help you walk through it.

The extraction process varies based on the complexity of each case. In cases of straightforward extractions, we will gently loosen the tooth and remove it. However, impacted wisdom teeth may require a more involved procedure, involving the removal of bone or cutting the tooth into smaller pieces for easier extraction.

SCHEDULE WITH OUR PERIODONTISTS TODAY IN WEST LOOP CHICAGO!

If you’re combatting periodontal disease, you might be wondering how often you should schedule appointments with us. An effective routine to manage periodontal disease depends largely on your unique dental health and your periodontist’s advice. Why not schedule an appointment with Cameo Dental Specialists today and we will establish a treatment plan that is appropriate for you. Call us at (872) 246-7525.