Receding gums, or gum recession, occurs when the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of the tooth or its root. This condition can lead to sensitivity, a higher risk of tooth decay, and can affect the appearance of your smile.
Understanding the causes and available treatments is vital for maintaining optimal oral health. In this article, you will learn the causes of receding gums, discuss various treatment options, and provide practical tips for receding gums prevention to help you protect your smile.
Causes of Receding Gums
Numerous factors might lead to a gum recession. Some of them are as follows –
- Brushing your teeth too aggressively or incorrectly can cause your teeth’s enamel to fade and the gums to recede.
- Inadequate brushing and flossing, as well as the lack of use of an antibacterial mouthwash, make it easy for plaque to turn into calculus. Calculus is a hard substance that builds on teeth and causes gum recession. It can be remove only by professional cleaning.
- Periodontal diseases are bacterial gum diseases that destroy gum tissues and the bone supporting the teeth. Gum disease is the leading cause of receding gums.
- Studies show that despite good oral habits, about 30% of the population is more susceptible to gum disease. 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 recession.
- People who use tobacco tend to have 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, resulting in gum recession.
- Body piercing jewelry on the lip or tongue can rub against the gums, irritating them and causing them to wear away.
Treatment Options
Gum recession is manageable with several treatments:
- Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
- Removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline.
- Smooth tooth roots to help gums reattach.
- Helps reduce gum inflammation and slow down further recession.
- Gum Graft Surgery
- Uses grafts from the patient’s tissue or a donor source to restore lost gum tissue.
- Helps cover exposed roots and reduce sensitivity.
- Can prevent further gum loss and strengthen gum attachment.
- Pinhole Surgical Technique
- A minimally invasive procedure that repositions existing gum tissue over exposed roots.
- No stitches are required, leading to faster healing than traditional grafts.
- Medicated Rinses or Antibiotics
- Helps control bacterial infections and supports gum healing.
- Some antibiotics can be applied directly to affected areas for targeted treatment.
- Laser Therapy
- A newer approach that removes infected tissue and promotes gum regeneration.
- Less invasive and often results in a quicker recovery than traditional gum surgery.
Receding Gums – Surgery
Various surgeries are performed to repair gums, tissues, and bone damage caused by gum recession.
Open Flap Scaling and Root Planing:
In this procedure, your dentist or periodontist (the specialist) folds 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 the 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 perform to regenerate the lost bone and tissue. Like the open-flap scaling and root planing procedure, your dentist will remove the affected gums and clean the area. A regenerative material, like a membrane, graft tissue, or tissue-stimulating protein, is applied to the exact location. This encourages the body to regenerate the bone and tissue naturally. After placing the regenerative material, the gums were folded back and secured into their original positions.
Soft Tissue Grafts:
While there are several 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 (the roof of your mouth), and the tissue underneath is remove. This tissue is called the subepithelial connective tissue, stitch to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed tooth root. After removing the graft tissue, the skin flap of the palate is stitch back into place. Another graft is the free gingival graft – this is take 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 affect, the dentist will graft gum from near the tooth instead of the palate. This is known as a pedicle graft.
Your dentist decides which line of treatment to use, depending on the situation of your oral cavity and your individual needs.
Receding Gums Prevention
Preventing gum recession involves consistent oral care and daily habits. These steps support receding gums prevention:
- Brush Properly
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle, circular motions.
- Avoid scrubbing too hard or using horizontal strokes, which can wear down gum tissue.
- Use Mild Toothpaste
- Choose a non-abrasive toothpaste to protect the enamel and gums.
- Fluoride toothpaste helps strengthen teeth and gum health.
- Avoid whitening toothpaste with harsh ingredients that can irritate gums.
- Visit the Dentist Regularly
- Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that brushing may miss.
- Checkups help catch early signs of gum disease before the recession worsens.
- Dentists can provide recommendations for improving brushing techniques and preventing further damage.
- Avoid Smoking and Tobacco
- Tobacco restricts blood flow to the gums, slowing healing and increasing infection risks.
- Quitting smoking can improve gum health and reduce the chances of gum recession.
- Protect Teeth from Grinding
- A custom nightguard reduces pressure from grinding and clenching.
- Stress management techniques like meditation or jaw exercises can help reduce grinding habits.
- Correct Bite Misalignment
- Orthodontic treatments can distribute pressure evenly across teeth, preventing gum wear.
- Dental appliances like bite splints can help protect gums from excessive force.
- Eat a Balanced Diet
- Nutrients like vitamin C and calcium support gum and bone health.
- Avoid excessive sugar and acidic foods that contribute to bacterial growth.
- Use Antibacterial Mouthwash
- Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash can help reduce plaque buildup and maintain gum health.
- Look for alcohol-free formulas to avoid drying out the mouth.
Final Words
Having a healthy smile is a personal journey that your dentist can assist you with. A gum recession evaluation can help determine the best course of action based on the severity of the condition.
Take Action Today
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. If you’re experiencing signs of gum recession or have concerns about your gum health, you can trust Rivers Bend Family Dental.
Our expert dentist in ramsey ensures early intervention to prevent further complications and deliver a healthy, confident smile.
