Leading Causes Why Patients Might Develop Gum Recession and How To Treat It
THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR GUMS
Although your teeth are a huge factor in how attractive your smile looks, your gums are also important. This delicate tissue surrounding your teeth is the basis for your smile and serves the critical purposes of keeping your teeth in place and guarding their vulnerable roots. This is why a receding gumline is more pressing than an aesthetic concern; it is a worrisome dental condition. To keep your gums healthy, you must know the top causes of gum recession. With that knowledge, you can alter your lifestyle and oral health regimen to avoid gum recession. Plus, if you currently suffer from receding gums, there are several options for procedures that can help in healing your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Uptown, our knowledgeable team of dental professionals performs preventive care as well as several treatments for gum recession, which will be selected based on the reason behind your gum recession. Read on to discover more about receding gums, the causes, and effective treatment methods. Local individuals who want to ensure the health of their gums and would like to keep their smiles looking amazing are invited to plan an oral health evaluation with a dental practitioner in Dallas, TX.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RECEDING GUMS
A receding gumline occurs when the soft gumline starts to shrink away from the teeth. More and more of the enamel is visible until, gradually, the tooth roots are also exposed. Gum recession typically won't happen in one day. Often, patients will begin to develop symptoms like inflamed and sore gums that bleed while brushing and/or flossing. Secretions at your gumline and consistent bad breath (halitosis) are also signs that are likely to develop before receding gums. If you notice any of these, please set up an appointment with your dentist in Dallas, TX right away. If gum recession is neglected, your teeth can start to loosen and fall out because the gum tissues can no longer keep them in place.
LEADING REASONS BEHIND GUM RECESSION
Regrettably, receding gums are a common dental issue, especially for men and women over 40 years old. There are numerous causes of receding gums, which will aid your dental practitioner in figuring out the best way to manage yours. Several of the most common reasons behind gum erosion are:
- HORMONE CHANGES
The changing hormones that females have during adolescence, pregnancy, and with menopause can lead to intensified gum inflammation and heightened tenderness. It is very important to prevent gingivitis during pregnancy because it might negatively impact the health of both the mother and the infant. - USING TOBACCO
The poisonous toxins in tobacco products can hurt your gums. Further, though they don't include tobacco, the gooey ingredients in e-cigarettes and vaping liquid can also be dangerous. Talk about quitting tobacco with your doctor and then make an appointment with your dentist to go over ways to enhance your oral health. - GRINDING AND CLENCHING YOUR TEETH
Many people grind their teeth and clench their jaws when they are worried at work or as they sleep (nocturnal bruxism). The pressure of grinding and clenching erodes your teeth and oral soft tissue. - BRUSHING TOO HARSHLY
Though it might seem odd, scrubbing your teeth too hard can also be a cause of gum recession. Brushing too much and too harshly slowly eats away at the gums. All dentists recommend using a brush with soft bristles when you clean your teeth and massage your gums. - PERIODONTAL DISEASE
The most frequent reason behind receding gums is periodontitis, the worst phase of gum disease. This infection of your gum tissue can cause gum recession if not promptly treated. - INCONSISTENT DENTAL HYGIENE
Choosing not to brush and floss daily causes food bits and plaque to accumulate between your teeth, which can cause periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease is a very common reason that people begin to develop gum recession. Flossing is particularly crucial to cleaning buildup from your gums and boosting blood circulation. - MISALIGNED BITES AND CROOKED TEETH
Similar to bruxism, irregularly positioned teeth and malocclusion (bite misalignment) can place unnecessary pressure on your jaws, teeth, and gums. Schedule an appointment with your dentist in Dallas, TX to learn about treatments like Invisalign to gradually change your bite into the proper alignment. - GENETICS
Your genes might predispose you to gum recession, which will make it more critical to be vigilant about your teeth and gums. Find out whether your parents or siblings have developed periodontitis and then let your dentist know.
METHODS OF TREATING RECEDING GUMS
To establish the ideal treatment for your receding gums, your dentist will have to diagnose the cause. Gum deterioration caused by gum disease will be treated according to how advanced your condition is. For those who present with the first stage of periodontal disease, referred to as gingivitis, dentists typically recommend multiple scaling and root planing (SRP) sessions. A noninvasive procedure, SRP therapy scrapes away the accumulated plaque from your gum pockets and polishes away pits in the enamel to help avoid future accumulation. If SRP deep cleaning is not enough to improve your gum health, or if you have the next stage of gum disease referred to as periodontitis, your dentist may perform gum surgery, or he or she may refer you to an oral surgeon. During periodontal surgery, tiny, precise cuts will be made in your gum tissue to penetrate farther into your gum pockets and remove buildup on your tooth roots. SRP therapy and gum surgery are typically accompanied by a cycle of antibiotics to kill any lingering bacteria. After SRP treatment and gum surgery, your dental practitioner will allow some time for your gums to get better and regenerate on their own. In cases where your gumline is still insufficient, gum graft surgery can be done. Periodontal plastic surgeries usually utilize tissue from other places in your mouth, such as the roof of your mouth, to supplement the coverage where needed on your gumline. Man-made and donor grafts could also be used for those who don't have enough tissue to build a healthy gumline. After you have healed from gingival grafting, it is important to practice a good home oral hygiene routine and attend regular visits with your dental practitioner in Dallas, TX for yearly dental examinations and twice-yearly professional cleanings.
BRING BACK YOUR GUMLINE
Gum tissue is integral to your dental health, so you have to be vigilant about your gums to attain an attractive, vibrant smile. Set up a comprehensive oral evaluation with your dentist if you have questions about periodontal disease or receding gums. At MINT dentistry in Uptown, our knowledgeable team of dental professionals offers diagnoses and effective treatment options for receding gums, including SRP therapy, periodontal surgery, and gum grafting. Contact our practice in Dallas, TX to schedule appointments for your whole family.