You may need to see a periodontist if your gums bleed regularly, have pulled back from your teeth, or measure 4 millimeters or deeper when your dentist checks the pockets around them. Loose teeth, bad breath that brushing does not fix, and a change in how your teeth fit together are also signs that gum disease may have moved past the stage a routine cleaning can handle. Gum problems tend to develop slowly and quietly, so many people do not realize they need more focused care until the disease has progressed.
At Newport Beach Dental Center, Dr. Laura Sharbash, DDS, FAGD, D.ABDSM, takes gum health seriously as part of a whole-mouth, whole-body philosophy. Our periodontics services are designed for patients whose gum health has moved beyond what preventive care alone can manage. Dr. Sharbash holds the Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry designation, earned by fewer than 6% of general dentists in the United States, and she brings that level of training to every gum health evaluation. Our team also includes periodontist Dr. Jeremy Owyoung.
What a Periodontist Does
A periodontist is a dental professional who focuses specifically on the structures that support your teeth, the gums, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. Where a general dentist addresses early-stage gum disease, a periodontist handles cases that have progressed to moderate or advanced periodontitis, require surgical intervention, or involve complex conditions like significant bone loss.
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, periodontists complete at least three years of additional training after dental school, focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease and on the placement of dental implants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that more severe forms of gum disease may include referral to a periodontist for further evaluation and treatment.
Meet Our Periodontist, Dr. Jeremy Owyoung
Dr. Owyoung earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. He then trained at the University of California, San Francisco, where he completed his specialty certificate in Periodontics and Implant Dentistry along with a Master of Science degree in Biomaterials and Oral Biology. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and has lectured and published on topics including chronic disease prevention and oral health promotion, dental biomaterials, and oral implantology.
General Dentist or Periodontist: Who Handles What?
Most gum care starts and ends with your general dentist. A periodontal evaluation becomes useful when the disease is deeper, more advanced, or not responding to standard care. This comparison shows how the two roles typically divide.
Because both roles work under one roof at our office, moving from a routine exam to a closer periodontal look does not have to mean starting over with a new practice.
Signs It May Be Time for a Periodontal Evaluation
Not every gum symptom means you need a periodontist, but certain signs consistently indicate that things have moved beyond gingivitis into territory that warrants a closer look. The following are the most common signals worth paying attention to.
Gums That Bleed Regularly
Occasional bleeding from aggressive brushing is one thing. Gums that bleed consistently during normal brushing, flossing, or even at rest are a red flag. Persistent bleeding is typically a sign of inflammation that has taken hold in the gum tissue, and it rarely resolves on its own without professional intervention.
Gum Recession
If your teeth look longer than they used to, or if you’ve noticed gaps forming near your gumline, your gums may be pulling away from your teeth. Recession exposes the root surface, which is more vulnerable to decay and sensitivity, and it also reduces the protective coverage your gums provide. Our blog on receding gums causes, symptoms, and treatment options covers this topic in more detail, and our guide on how to fix gum recession compares the treatment options side by side.
Persistent Bad Breath
Chronic bad breath that doesn’t respond to brushing, flossing, or mouthwash is often rooted in bacterial activity below the gumline. When bacteria colonize the deep pockets between teeth and gums, they produce compounds that no amount of surface cleaning can eliminate. This is one of the more overlooked signs of active periodontal disease.
Loose or Shifting Teeth
Adult teeth should not feel loose. If you notice any movement, wobbling, or a change in how your teeth fit together when you bite down, that’s a sign that the bone and tissue supporting your teeth may be significantly compromised. This level of bone loss typically requires periodontal intervention.
Deep Gum Pockets
Pocket depth is one of the most objective measures of gum disease severity. Healthy gum pockets measure between 1 and 3 millimeters. Pockets of 4 millimeters or deeper indicate attachment loss and active disease, and pockets of 6 millimeters or more generally require periodontal treatment beyond a standard cleaning.
Problems Around a Dental Implant
Implants do not get cavities, but the gum and bone around them can become inflamed in much the same way natural teeth do. Bleeding, swelling, or gum recession around an implant is worth having evaluated promptly. Our post on ways to increase the longevity of your dental implant explains what to watch for.
Who Is at Higher Risk for Advanced Gum Disease?
Some people are more likely than others to need periodontal care, even with good home habits. The CDC reports that about 4 in 10 U.S. adults aged 30 and older have some degree of periodontitis, and that rates are higher among current smokers and people living with diabetes. Other factors associated with gum disease include:
If one or more of these applies to you, mention it at your next visit. Knowing your risk profile helps us decide how closely to monitor your gums and how often you may benefit from periodontal maintenance.
What Happens at a Periodontal Evaluation
A periodontal evaluation is a more detailed version of the gum check you get at a regular exam. It gives us a full map of your gum health so treatment decisions are based on measurements, not guesswork. The visit generally follows these steps.
The evaluation itself is not painful. Most patients describe the probing as a light pressure, and areas that are already inflamed may feel tender for a moment.
What Happens After a Referral
If a periodontal evaluation confirms moderate to advanced disease, treatment may include scaling and root planing, which is a deep cleaning that removes bacteria and calculus from below the gumline, or more advanced procedures depending on the extent of damage. Our gum disease treatment services are coordinated to address both the active disease and any secondary concerns like tissue loss or recession. For patients who have experienced significant gum tissue loss, procedures like gum grafting may also be part of the conversation, something our blog on gum grafting walks through in practical terms. In some cases, laser periodontal therapy may be an option for treating infected tissue with less bleeding and swelling.
The most important thing to understand is that early action almost always leads to better outcomes. Periodontal disease is manageable, particularly when it’s caught before bone loss becomes extensive. After active treatment, most patients move to a periodontal maintenance schedule, with cleanings at intervals set to their own needs, to keep the disease from returning.
Talk to Newport Beach Dental Center About Your Gum Health
Dr. Sharbash and the team at Newport Beach Dental Center are committed to honest, thorough evaluations that give you a clear picture of your gum health at every visit. Whether your general dentist has flagged a concern or you’ve noticed symptoms on your own, we’re here to help you understand what’s happening and what your options are. You can learn more about Dr. Sharbash’s training and approach on her provider profile.
If you have questions about your gum health or want to schedule a periodontal evaluation, request an appointment online today. Getting ahead of gum disease is one of the most valuable things you can do for your long-term oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seeing a Periodontist
Do I need a referral to see a periodontist?
Many patients are referred by their general dentist, but a referral is not always required to book a periodontal evaluation. Some dental insurance plans do have their own referral rules, so it is worth checking your benefits. At our office, a periodontal concern found at a routine exam can be followed up without sending you elsewhere.
What is the difference between a periodontist and a regular dentist?
A general dentist cares for your overall oral health, including cleanings, fillings, crowns, and early gum disease. A periodontist completes at least three additional years of training focused on the gums and the bone that supports the teeth, and typically manages moderate to advanced gum disease and surgical gum and bone procedures.
Is gum disease reversible?
Gingivitis, the earliest stage, can usually be reversed with professional cleaning and better daily care. Once gum disease becomes periodontitis and bone or attachment has been lost, that damage does not fully reverse on its own, but treatment can stop it from progressing and help you keep your teeth.
How often will I need cleanings after periodontal treatment?
Many patients who have been treated for periodontitis benefit from periodontal maintenance visits more often than the typical twice a year schedule. The right interval depends on your pocket depths, how your gums respond, and risk factors like smoking or diabetes, so we set it based on your own exam results.
Can bleeding gums be a sign of something serious?
Bleeding gums are most often a sign of gum inflammation from plaque buildup. When bleeding happens regularly during normal brushing and flossing, it usually means gum disease is active and worth an evaluation. Gums that bleed easily along with loose teeth, deep pockets, or recession are signs the disease may be more advanced.
