What is a Periodontist? How is that field related to microbiology?

Hi! I'm Jarrett. I'm quite sure you have learned a few interesting facts about me in our about us page. Well as it states in my section of the "about us" page, I am a Microbiology major with a

Pre-Dental tract. I am going to become a Periodontist in the near future; but, I am working on research right now in order to achieve a better understanding of what a Periodontist is. I am also researching how the study of periodontics is related to microbiology.

                                           (Here is a picture of a periodontist.)

As I did thorough research to try and get a clear and educated definition of what a Periodontist is; I, found a website that has some pretty good detailed articles. Judging by the name of the article you can see that the website is mainly focused on periodontics. Periodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the structures surrounding and supporting the teeth. A person who studies this is known as a periodontist. Periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease; and, the placement of dental implants. 

(What is a Periodontist? ,2016) 

(This is a picture of what eventually happens to your gums and teeth when you have periodontal disease.)

Now the BIG question is, how is periodontics related to microbiology? Well first I would have to explain to you what periodontitis is. Periodontitis is disease that is the main cause for tooth loss. Now to answer the question we have all been waiting for. The reason microbiology is involved in periodontics is because there is bacteria that gets into the gingival sulcus. Once the bacteria reaches the gingival sulcus it creates a periodontal pocket. These pockets are dangerous because once they evolve in someone's gums they allow pathogens to enter. Once these pathogens enter many periodontists will use microbiology in order to remove these pathogens. If these pathogens and pockets are not removed, periodontal disease will start to occur. 
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I hope that this post gave you little information on what a Periodontist does and study, I hope it informed you on how periodontics is related to microbiology. 

-Jarrett