Healthy gums are the foundation of a strong, beautiful smile yet many people overlook gum health until problems become painful or advanced. While a general dentist plays a vital role in overall oral care, there are times when you need the skills of a specialist to protect your teeth and gums. If you're searching for a trusted dentist San Diego for preventive care or gum-related concerns, understanding when to see a periodontist could be the key to saving your natural teeth and maintaining lifelong oral health.

What Does a Periodontist Do?

A periodontist is a dental specialist focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease and other conditions that affect the soft tissues and bone supporting the teeth. They also specialize in placing dental implants and treating severe gum recession and bone loss.

While your general dentist monitors gum health during routine visits, a periodontist steps in when issues become complex or advanced offering specialized tools, techniques, and surgical skills.

Signs Your Gums Need Professional Attention

Many patients ignore gum problems because early symptoms are mild or painless. However, untreated gum disease progresses and can eventually lead to tooth loss. Common signs that indicate you should see a specialist include:

• Persistent bad breath
• Swollen, red, or tender gums
• Gums that bleed easily, especially when brushing or flossing
• Gum recession or teeth appearing “longer”
• Loose or shifting teeth
• Pain while chewing
• Pus around the gums

If you notice these symptoms, early treatment can stop progression and even reverse damage in its early stages.

How a Periodontist Helps Protect Your Smile

Periodontists use advanced treatment options to restore gum and bone health. Care may include:

• Deep cleaning (scaling & root planing) to remove bacteria below the gumline
• Laser therapy to target infected tissues with improved comfort
• Surgical procedures to repair gum recession and rebuild bone