Healthier gums can improve your overall health and well-being. If you value your smile, it’s important to learn about gum recession.
If your gums recede, you might feel like a giant white glob of teeth is prominent in your smile. If you want to avoid it, you’re going to want to find out as much as possible about gum recession and how to prevent it from happening to you.
Keep reading to learn all about what it is and how to manage, prevent, and care for receding gums.
1. It’s a Common Dental Problem
Gum recession is a major common dental problem that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the gum tissue near your teeth begins to recede, exposing more of the tooth and root. If left untreated, it can cause tooth loss, bone loss, and even infections of the gums.
Common symptoms of gum recession include teeth that appear longer than normal, red or tender gums, gum sensitivity, and pockets between the teeth and gums.
Additionally, people with gum disease should practice good oral hygiene, including brushing their teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once per day, and avoiding smoking and certain foods that can irritate the gums.
2. Cause Sensitivity and Pain
It can occur due to many causes, including gum disease or grinding your teeth. This can cause tooth sensitivity and pain, as the recession of the gums expose the root of the tooth and its underlying layers to the elements and allows plaque and toxins to accumulate.
Without a concerted effort to halt the progression of gum recession, gum pockets can form, which can eventually lead to the loss of teeth. To help prevent gum recession, it is important to visit your dentist for regular check-ups and advice on how to keep your gums healthy.
3. Poor Oral Hygiene Is a Major Cause
Without proper dental care, plaque can accumulate and cause inflammation or gingivitis. If not treated, gingivitis can lead to receding gums. Smoking can limit natural saliva production, resulting in a buildup of bacteria.
As gums pull away from teeth, pockets form, and bacteria can hide, leading to further gum recession. Knowing the cause of gum recession can help individuals take better care of their teeth and gums and avoid further recession.
4. Caused by Aggressive Brushing
It is caused by the gradual wear of the gums and the exposure of the root of the teeth. One of the leading causes of gum recession is aggressive brushing. Many people brush their teeth too firmly or use the wrong toothbrush leading to the gum tissue being compromised.
Additionally, using a hard toothbrush can also damage the enamel of the teeth. It’s important to brush your teeth gently and to use a soft toothbrush. If you have existing gum recession issues, it is best to seek treatment from your dental professional.
5. This Can Be Prevented
Preventing gum recession involves maintaining good oral hygiene practices and making lifestyle changes to reduce your risk factors. Here are some ways to prevent gum recession:
- Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
- Floss Daily
- Use an Antiseptic Mouthwash
- Quit Smoking
- Eat a Healthy Diet
- Visit the Dentist Regularly
- Address Teeth Grinding or Clenching
6. Treatment Options
Treatment for gum recession depends on the severity of the condition. Here are some common treatment options for gum recession:
Scaling and Root Planing
This is a non-surgical treatment option that involves removing plaque and tartar from the tooth’s surface and smoothing the root surface to promote gum tissue reattachment.
Gum Graft Surgery
This is a surgical treatment option that involves taking tissue from another area of the mouth and using it to cover the exposed tooth root. This procedure can help to reduce sensitivity and prevent further gum recession.
Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique
This is a minimally invasive surgical technique that involves making a small hole in the gum tissue and using specialized instruments to gently move the tissue down to cover the exposed tooth root. This procedure can be less painful and have a shorter recovery time than traditional gum graft surgery.
Open Flap Surgery
Open flap surgery is a treatment option used to correct the problem of gum recession. This approach involves cutting into the gums in order to access and treat the underlying cause. The results of open flap surgery are typically very good, with a 90 percent or higher success rate in restoring gums to their previous condition.
It’s important to visit your local dentist office about which treatment option is best for your specific case. Early detection and treatment of gum recession can help prevent further damage to the gums and teeth.
7. Early Detection Is Important
In order to prevent gum recession, individuals should pay close attention to their oral health and look for any signs and symptoms such as sensitivity, redness and tenderness of the gums, puckering and shrinking of the gum line, or increases in gum visibility when smiling.
Additionally, when brushing, individuals should be aware of any bleeding or increased bleeding during brushing as this could be a sign of gum recession and should be discussed with a dentist. Regular dental visits are also important to maintain a healthy mouth.
If signs of gum recession are seen, it is important to visit a dentist so they can take the necessary steps to treat and prevent any further gum recession and potential tooth loss.
Stay Informed to Avoid Gum Recession
Gum recession is a serious condition that requires professional attention from a dentist. Reversing gum recession requires a combination of treatments, ranging from medications to surgical techniques, that can be discussed with a dentist.
Taking a proactive approach to gum health can help prevent gum recession. Be sure to practice good oral hygiene, keep regular appointments with your dental professional, and follow dietary guidelines.
Schedule a dental consultation today to learn more!
Did you find this article helpful? Check out the rest of our blogs!
James Martin is a passionate writer and the founder of OnTimeMagazines & EastLifePro. He loves to write principally about technology trends. He loves to share his opinion on what’s happening in tech around the world.
