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Receding Gums: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Are your gums receding? You’re not alone. In fact, according to the American Academy of Periodontology, almost half of Americans aged 30 and over have some form of gum disease. And one of the most common symptoms of gum disease is receding gums. But what causes this condition? And more importantly, what can you do about it? Keep reading to find out.
What are receding gums, and why do they happen?
Receding gums occur when the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth starts to retreat or move away from the teeth. Recession can result in gaps between the gums and your teeth, causing them to look longer than usual. Although periodontal disease is the most common cause of receding gums, it’s not always to blame. Genetics, brushing too hard, and aging can all contribute to oral gum recession. Suppose you have receding gums. In that case, it’s essential that you visit Carraway Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for an evaluation by one of our experienced professionals. We can provide more insight into what’s happening with your oral health and suggest treatment options tailored to your needs.
Common causes of receding gums
Receding gums are a common dental complaint and can have several causes. Poor oral care, such as not brushing or flossing regularly, can lead to plaque buildup on the teeth. This buildup around the gum line can cause inflammation, allowing bacteria to damage gum tissue, leading to receding gums.
Other culprits for gum recession may include orthodontic treatments, certain medications, and even certain health conditions. For those who might be genetically predisposed, receding gums may be inevitable.
However, Cove Dental Care is here to help you keep receding gums under control through regular checkups.
How can you prevent gum recession?
Receding gums can be a scary prospect for anyone, but there are steps you can take to help avoid it. Regular dental and oral care is paramount in protecting your gums. Brushing and flossing twice daily and seeing your dentist will help ward off gum recession.
Suppose you’re already struggling with receding gums. In that case, Cove Dental Care in Greer, South Carolina, has advanced treatments that can help restore your smile.
Effective ways to maintain healthy gums include:
1. Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Harmful bacteria that attach to teeth roots cause inflammation and eventually gum recession. A healthy smile begins with excellent oral homecare, where brushing removes bacterial plaque buildup.
It is essential to avoid aggressive brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush because that can lead to gum problems.
2. Floss daily to remove plaque and bacteria that can build up around your gums.
Flossing is one of the best ways to prevent gum recession because it helps to remove soft bacterial plaques below the gum margin. The soft plaque causes inflammatory bone loss and gum recession.
We recommend using a water flosser, then an electric toothbrush, followed by the floss.
3. Visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.
Maintaining regular visits with your dentist is a vital part of preventing gum recession by treating periodontal disease in its early stages. Calcified bacteria create tartar below the gum line and inflame the gum tissue.
During a dental cleaning, the dental hygienist will perform a tooth scaling and remove tartar so that inflammation settles down and gum health is improved.
Suppose the affected gum tissue is inflamed enough and causes lost bone. In that case, performing a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, may be necessary. During this procedure, the dentist or hygienist numbs the gums so the dental hygienist can clean all the teeth and exposed root surfaces.
Maintaining regular visits can help treat periodontal disease and ultimately prevent gum recession.
Why it’s important to treat gum disease
Gum recession is an oral health issue that can have serious long-term effects if left untreated. It is detrimental to your smile and can lead to more severe problems such as tooth decay and loss, infections, and even heart disease.
Periodontal disease happens with supporting bone around one or more teeth is lost. Unfortunately, when the supporting bone is lost, we can not replace it, so it is important to practice prevention.
When bone drops halfway down the tooth roots, this causes loose teeth to be lost.
Our mission at Cove Dental Care is to save teeth, so patients do not have to go through tooth loss. Therefore, keeping your teeth clean and a healthy mouth is essential to avoid loose teeth and tooth loss.
Treatment for receding gum tissue
Gum recession is an oral health issue that can have Modern dentistry offers various services to help patients restore their missing gum tissue. If you have receding gums, periodontal treatments such as a soft tissue gum graft help regenerate the gum line and can help thicken areas of thin gum tissue and help stop receding gums.
Gum grafting involves a minor gum surgery where the dentist places a tissue graft over the exposed root and affected area. If misaligned teeth have caused gum recession, then orthodontic treatment can be a great way to prevent future gingival recession and gum grafting.
FAQs about receding gums
Receding gums can be a source of discomfort and embarrassment for many people, so it is natural to have questions about the condition.
At Cove Dental Care, we understand our patients’ concerns regarding receding gums. We are happy to answer any questions they might have. Common FAQs include:
1. What are the symptoms of receding gums?
The most common symptom of receding gums is gum tissue pulled away from the teeth, showing an exposed root area.
Other symptoms may include:
• Pain when brushing and flossing.
• Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
• Red or swollen gums.
• Bad breath.
• Tooth mobility.
2. What causes receding gums?
Several factors cause gum recession, including poor oral hygiene, a misaligned bite, smoking, and using a hard-bristled brush.
3. How can I prevent receding gums?
As previously discussed, excellent oral hygiene is the best way to prevent receding gums. A healthy mouth routine includes brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing daily.
If patients can quit smoking, it can help prevent gingival recession. Visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings is also essential to detect and prevent gum disease, which can cause gum recession.
4. What are common signs?
Signs to look out for include red, swollen gums; pain when brushing or flossing; bleeding gums; sensitive teeth, and bad breath. If you notice any of these signs, you must get in touch with your dentist immediately.
5. What is the treatment for receding gums?
Treatment will depend on the severity of the gum recession. Suppose your dentist determines that you have mild gum recession. In that case, they may recommend scaling and root planing to treat any underlying periodontal disease or suggest a home care regimen to help enhance oral hygiene. For severe cases, your dentist may suggest a soft tissue graft to help regenerate the gum line and thicken thinning gum tissue.
Ultimately, receding gums is an oral health condition that you can prevent with proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with receding gums or have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us today. We are here to help you keep your smile healthy and strong!
Schedule a consultation
We at Cove Dental Care are committed to helping you keep your oral health in optimal condition. If you’re noticing changes in your gums, don’t hesitate to contact us for an evaluation.
