Receding gums is a common dental problem. Receding gums are defined as the gradual loss of gum tissue. This occurs because of gum disease or periodontal disease. This is also called a gingival recession. Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums. This infection causes inflammation, which then causes the gums to recede. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease occurs when the plaque on your teeth turns into tartar. The tartar creates toxins that infect the gum tissue. This causes the gums to become inflamed and irritated, causing the gums to recede.
What Are Receding Gums?
Receding gums is a common problem that affects both children and adults. It occurs when the roots of the teeth become exposed, which can leave the teeth vulnerable to damage by bacteria in the mouth and potentially contribute to tooth decay or periodontal disease.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Receding gums can be the result of the following causes:
Periodontal disease: This is an infection of the tissues that surround and support the teeth. It is caused by bacteria that collect on the teeth and gums due to poor oral hygiene.
Aggressive brushing: If you brush too vigorously, you can erode the gum tissue and bone.
Gum recession can be caused by a number of different factors, including periodontal disease, teeth grinding or clenching, and overly aggressive brushing. The condition often develops slowly over time, meaning many people are not aware they have an issue until their gums start receding further than normal.
How the condition is treated depends largely on what caused the recession in the first place. For example, if gum disease is to blame, this means the patient needs to continue seeing the dentist for cleanings and scalings. If teeth grinding is the likely cause, then a plastic mouth guard can be worn at night to prevent patients from damaging their teeth while they sleep. Finally, if the condition was caused by overaggressive brushing, a dentist may recommend switching to an electric toothbrush instead.
Once the cause of the recession is determined, there are a variety of surgical and non-surgical options available to help restore the gums to their normal position. Give us a call today to learn more!
Treatment Options For Receding Gums
When gums recede, patients often experience sensitivity from hot and cold beverages and food. This can make eating uncomfortable and affect your quality of life. Fortunately, we can treat receding gums with a number of effective methods, depending on the extent of damage and patient preference. Our dentist may recommend one of the following treatments for receded gums:
- Crown lengthening: If needed, your dentist can surgically shorten the length of your tooth to expose more of your natural tooth surface and prevent the further recession from occurring over time. This procedure is often combined with the placement of crowns to correct damaged teeth and improve overall oral health.
- Pocket depth reduction: Bacteria can accumulate in pockets between teeth and gums. If left untreated, bacteria can lead to gum disease and further recession of the gums. We can treat this by removing bacteria and tartar buildup through scaling and root planing procedures. In some cases, antibiotics may be used to prevent infection and promote healthy healing.
For more information on treating receding gums and refreshing your smile, schedule a consultation at our office. We would be happy to help you achieve a beautiful and healthy smile!
