Receding Gums are a common dental problem. This is characterized by the wearing away, or pulling back of the gum margins surrounding the teeth, exposing more of the tooth. Gum recession leads to the formation of “pockets” or gaps between the teeth and gum line. As a result, disease-causing bacteria get trapped in these spaces and build up. And if this condition is left untreated, the supporting tissues and bone can be severely damaged, causing tooth loss.
Receding gums are a typically slow process, hence people don’t notice it happening. The first sign is usually tooth sensitivity, or you might notice a tooth looking longer than usual. A notch might also be felt near the gum line. Either way, receding gums should not be ignored.
Receding Gums – Causes
Numerous factors might lead to gum recession. Some of them are as follows –
- Brushing your teeth too aggressively or in the wrong way can cause your teeth enamel to fade and the gums to recede.
- Inadequate brushing, flossing, and the lack of use of an anti-bacterial mouth wash make it easy for plaque to turn into calculus. Calculus is a hard substance that builds on teeth and causes gum recession. This can be removed only by professional cleaning.
- Periodontal diseases are bacterial gum diseases that destroy gum tissues and the bone supporting the teeth. Gum disease is the topmost cause of receding gums.
- Studies show that about 30% of the population is more susceptible to gum disease, despite good oral habits. The factor here is genetics.
- Hormonal changes and fluctuations in a woman’s life cycle (puberty, pregnancy, menopause, etc.) can make gums more sensitive and vulnerable to receding gums.
- Habits like grinding or clenching your teeth can add excessive force on them, causing the recession.
- People who use tobacco tend to have a stickier plaque on their teeth. This is difficult to remove and causes receding gums.
- Crooked or misaligned teeth can also cause excessive forces to be placed on the gums. The result is a gum recession.
- Body piercing jewelry of the lip or tongue can rub against the gums, leading to irritation and causing the gums to wear away.
Receding Gums – Treatment
Mild recession of the gums can be treated by deep cleaning of the affected area by your dentist. The deep cleaning treatment is known as tooth scaling and root planing, and it involves the careful removal of the plaque and tartar buildup. The buildup is removed from teeth and root surfaces below the gum line, and the exposed root area is also smoothed to prevent bacteria from adhering to it. Medications like antibiotics may also be given to get rid of any harmful bacteria.
In cases where there are excessive losses of bone and the recession can’t be treated by simply deep cleaning, surgery is recommended. Such patients will also have deep pockets, and gum surgery is the only way to repair the damage caused by receding gums.
Receding Gums – Surgery
Various surgeries are performed to repair the damage to gums, tissues, and bone caused by gum recession.
Open Flap Scaling and Root Planing: In this procedure, your dentist or periodontist (the specialist) fold back affected tissues, and performs scaling and root planing. This removes the harmful bacteria from the pockets. Your dentist then proceeds to snugly secure the gum tissues in their places over tooth root, eliminating the pockets or reducing their size.
Regeneration: Gum recession can lead to loss of the bone supporting your teeth. In such cases, a procedure is performed to regenerate the lost bone and tissue. Similar to the open flap scaling and root planing procedure, your dentist will pull back the affected gums and clean the area. A regenerative material like membrane, graft tissue, or tissue-stimulating protein is then applied to the same area. This encourages the body to naturally regenerate the bone and tissue. After placing the regenerative material, the gums that were folded back and secured back into their original positions.
Soft Tissue Grafts: While there are several types of gum tissue graft procedures, the most common one is the connective tissue graft. In this mode of treatment, a flap of skin is cut on your palate (roof of your mouth), and the tissue underneath is removed. This tissue is called the subepithelial connective tissue, and it is stitched to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed tooth root. After the removal of the graft tissue, the skin flap of the palate is stitched back into place. Another graft is the free gingival graft – this is taken directly from the mouth’s roof instead of underneath the skin. In cases where a patient might have enough gum tissue surrounding the teeth that are affected, the dentist will graft gum from near the tooth instead of the palate. This is known as a pedicle graft.
The line of treatment chosen is decided by your dentist depending on the situation of your oral cavity and your individual needs.
Receding Gums – Prevention
The best way to prevent any form of gum recession is by practicing good oral habits.
- Proper brushing and flossing twice a day.
- Visiting your dentist at least twice a year (every 6 months) for regular check-ups. If you already have gum disease, your dentist might want you to visit more often.
- Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and brushing in the way your dentist shows how.
- If you have misaligned teeth or an improper bite, visit your dentist to see what can be done to correct it.
Other ways to prevent gum recession are –
- By avoiding habits like smoking.
- By eating a well-balanced and healthy diet.
- By monitoring any changes that might occur in your oral cavity.
Having a healthy smile is a personal journey – one that is assisted by your dentist. If you have any of the signs of receding gums, or simply want to understand the current status of your oral health, visit us at Rivers Bend Family Dental Clinic today. Contact us at (763) 576-1855 to book an appointment.
