Frequent Reasons Why Patients Might Develop Gum Recession and Ways To Treat It
THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR GUMS
Although your teeth are a huge factor in how sexy your smile is, your gums are equally as important. This remarkable tissue surrounding your teeth is the foundation of your smile and serves the critical purposes of keeping your teeth in place and guarding their vulnerable roots. This is why gum recession is more pressing than a cosmetic problem. It is a significant oral health condition. If you want to keep your gums healthy, you must learn the most frequent precursors to gum recession. From there, you can adjust your lifestyle and oral health regimen to stave off receding gums. Plus, if you currently have receding gums, you have multiple options for procedures that can assist in restoring your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Las Colinas, our skilled team of dental professionals performs preventive care as well as many interventions for receding gums, which are selected based on the reason behind your gum recession. Continue reading to learn more about receding gums, the causes, and common treatment options. Local men and women who want to maintain the health of their gums and wish to keep their teeth and gums looking amazing are invited to plan an oral health examination with a dental practitioner in Las Colinas, TX.
WHY YOU SHOULD WORRY ABOUT RECEDING GUMS
Gum erosion occurs when the delicate gumline starts to withdraw from the teeth. An increasing amount of the enamel is exposed until, eventually, the sensitive roots are also exposed. Gum recession usually won't develop quickly; first, you'll start to develop symptoms such as inflamed and tender gums that bleed easily. Secretions along your gumline and consistent foul-smelling breath (halitosis) are also signs that usually develop before gum recession. In the event that you see any of these, it's important that you schedule an appointment with your dentist in Las Colinas, TX right away. If gum recession is ignored, your teeth can begin to loosen and fall out, since the gums aren't strong enough to keep them in position.
COMMON REASONS BEHIND RECEDING GUMS
Unfortunately, gum recession is not a rare dental issue, particularly for patients past 40 years old. There are numerous causes of gum recession, which can aid your dental practitioner in figuring out the best way to manage yours. Several of the most common causes of gum erosion are:
- INCONSISTENT DENTAL CARE
Neglecting to floss and brush after eating allows food remnants and plaque to accumulate along your gums, which can cause gum (periodontal) disease. Periodontal disease is a very common reason that people start to experience gum recession. Flossing is particularly critical in removing buildup from your gumline and helping blood circulation. - GUM DISEASE
The leading reason behind receding gums is periodontitis, the most advanced phase of periodontal disease. This inflammation in your soft tissue could lead to gum recession if not promptly treated. - HEREDITY
Your genes may make you vulnerable to receding gums, which means it will be more important to be vigilant about your teeth and gums. Find out whether your parents or siblings have dealt with periodontal disease and then let your dentist know. - MALOCCLUSION AND CROOKED TEETH
Similar to tooth grinding, uneven teeth and a misaligned bite (dental malocclusion) can put unnecessary force on your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Arrange a visit with your dental practitioner in Las Colinas, TX to talk about dental options like Invisalign to gently change your bite into the best alignment. - BRUSHING TOO MUCH
Though it may sound unusual, brushing your teeth too often can also lead to gum recession. Brushing too often and too harshly eventually wears down the soft tissue. You should be using a brush with soft bristles when you brush your teeth and massage your gums. - HORMONAL FLUCTUATIONS
The fluctuating hormones that women go through during adolescence, while pregnant, and all the way through menopause can lead to worsening gum swelling and redness and elevated tenderness. It is very important to protect yourself from gingivitis during pregnancy because it may negatively impact the health of the expecting mom and the infant. - BRUXISM
Many people clench their teeth and jaws if they are tense during the day or as they sleep (nocturnal bruxism). The pressure of clenching and grinding erodes your teeth and gums. - TOBACCO CONSUMPTION
The dangerous chemicals in tobacco products can damage your gums. In addition, though they don't include tobacco, the sticky substances in vape pens and electronic cigarettes can also be harmful. Talk about tobacco cessation with your general practitioner and then see your dentist to go over your options to enhance your oral health.
OPTIONS FOR MANAGING GUM RECESSION
To decide on the best treatment for your receding gums, your dental practitioner will first need to diagnose the cause. Gum deterioration caused by gum disease will be treated based on how serious your gum disease is. For patients who present with the first stage of periodontal disease, called gingivitis, dentists often do several scaling and root planing (SRP) treatments. A noninvasive deep-cleaning method, SRP therapy removes the accumulated plaque from your gum pockets and evens out the enamel to prevent future buildup. If SRP therapy is not enough to improve your oral health, or if you are experiencing the second stage of gum disease referred to as periodontitis, your dental practitioner may perform periodontal surgery, or they could refer you to a gum specialist. During periodontal surgery, incisions will be created in your gums to enter farther into your gum pockets and clean any accumulation along your tooth roots. Both SRP therapy and periodontal surgery are often accompanied by a cycle of prescription antibiotics to clear any surviving bacteria. After SRP treatment and gum surgery, your dentist will wait a bit for your gums to heal and regenerate. In cases where your gumline remains too high, gum graft surgery can be performed. Periodontal plastic surgeries usually utilize tissue from other places in your mouth, such as your roof palate, to supplement the coverage where necessary along your gumline. Synthetic and donor grafts may also be used for patients who don't have sufficient tissue to create a healthy gumline. After you have recovered from gingival grafting, it is vital that you follow a consistent home oral hygiene regimen and attend regular appointments with your dentist in Las Colinas, TX for yearly dental checkups and twice-yearly dental cleanings.
BRING BACK YOUR GUMLINE
Your gums are vital to your general dental health, so you have to be careful with your gums in order to maintain an attractive, vibrant smile. Schedule a tooth and gum evaluation with a dentist if you have questions about periodontal disease or gum recession. At MINT dentistry in Las Colinas, our skilled team of dental professionals provides diagnoses and effective treatment options for receding gums, including SRP therapy, periodontal surgery, and gum grafting. Visit our facility in Las Colinas, TX to schedule appointments for your whole family.