Gum Recession Ramsey, MN
What Is Gum Recession?
Normally, the gums surrounding our teeth come right up to the necks of the teeth like a turtleneck sweatshirt. But if there is repeated trauma or untreated severe gum disease in the area, eventually, the gum recedes away from the tooth far enough to reveal the roots of the tooth.
Gum recession can happen so slowly that many don’t realize it is even happening. The realization usually happens when it reaches a point causing sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures and/or touch and pressure. This is bad because when the tooth root is exposed, it is much more at risk for decay, deterioration, and infection.
River’s Bend Family Dental provides a wide range of dental procedures to make it convenient for your family to tend to all its dental needs.
Avoiding Gum Recession
Gum recession can be prevented with consistent oral care routines and regular dental cleanings. Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily using the proper technique. Effective flossing disrupts the constant buildup of plaque in our mouths. Don’t forget to also find the right mouthwash that lowers the bacterial loads in your mouth.
It’s also a good idea to maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise routine. Not only do nutritious food and exercise make your gums and mouth heal better, but they also improve your overall health.
Finally, remember to get regular follow-up dental checkups and cleanings at least twice a year. This can be an incredibly effective way to prevent gum disease and catch early signs of the disease to begin treatment.
Treating Gum Recession
If gum recession has occurred and you’re considering corrective surgery, there are a few options. It’s good to consult with your doctor to talk about the next steps. When surgery is involved, it’s normal to cover the exposed tooth roots with tissue grafts or transplants. For additional information, please contact our staff.
Common Causes of Gum Recession
There are a few different reasons why gum recession may occur. Let’s talk about some of these reasons in more detail:
Genetics: You may be predisposed to develop gum recession and gum disease just because of your genes. If you can tell from your family history or through genetic testing, it can help you figure out preventive treatment plans. And if the damage has already occured, there are corrective options available to you. Ask your hygienist or doctor about them during your next visit.
Periodontal Disease: When advanced periodontitis or gum disease builds up a heavy load of bacteria, it can eat away the gums. That’s why it’s important to treat gum disease early on when you can. You can tell if you may have gum disease if you see bleeding gums when you brush or floss, bad breath, and/or sensitive teeth and gums to hot or cold temperatures. If your gum recession is due to periodontal disease, you may need to be treated with deep scaling and root therapy.
Tooth Brushing: Too much of a good thing can also be a bad thing. If you see the bristles at the end of your toothbrush parting like your hair down the middle, it’s a sign you are brushing too hard. Hard bristle brushes should only be used to clean the grime stuck on your porcelain dishes, not on the porcelain of your teeth; for that, just use a soft bristle toothbrush. Use proper technique, which can be shown by your hygienist, and avoid damaging your gums.
Misaligned Bite: If your teeth come together unevenly, you may have a misaligned bite. If this is true for you, you will experience excessive wear and tear on both your teeth and gums. Left uncorrected for long enough, the traumatic biting will cause the gums to recede and bone loss to occur. You may also lose a tooth because of this traumatic bite.
Family Dentistry
At River’s Bend Family Dental, we create a comfortable environment to address the unique dental needs of your family.