Frequent Reasons People Could Develop Gum Recession and How To Prevent It
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR GUMS
Although your teeth are integral to how healthy your smile is, your gums are just as important. This delicate tissue surrounding your teeth is the foundation of your smile and performs the necessary purposes of securing your teeth in place and sheltering their sensitive roots. Therefore, gum recession is more than just an aesthetic issue; it is a serious oral health condition. In order to keep your gums healthy, you must learn the top precursors to gum recession. From there, you can adjust your lifestyle and oral health practices to defend against receding gums. However, if you currently have receding gums, you have several options for procedures that can assist in maintaining your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Lake Worth, our knowledgeable team of dental professionals provides preventive care as well as many treatments for receding gums, which are selected according to the cause of your gum erosion. Continue reading to learn more about receding gums, the causes, and common treatment options. Area men and women who have questions about their gum health and wish to keep their smiles looking great are invited to plan an oral health assessment with their dentist in Lake Worth, TX.
TOOTH LOSS AND RECEDING GUMS
Gum recession occurs when the delicate gum line begins to withdraw from the teeth. More and more of the tooth becomes visible until, over time, the sensitive tooth roots are also uncovered. Gum recession generally won't develop in one day. Often, patients will begin to notice symptoms such as red, swollen, and sore gums that bleed while brushing and/or flossing. Pus at your gumline and consistent bad breath (halitosis) are also indicators that often precede receding gums. When you notice any of these, we urge you to schedule an appointment with your dentist in Lake Worth, TX right away. If gum recession is ignored, your teeth may become loose or fall out because the gums aren't strong enough to hold them secured.
COMMON CAUSES OF RECEDING GUMS
Regrettably, gum recession is not a rare dental issue, particularly for those over the age of 40. There are several causes of gum recession, which can assist your dentist in deciding the best way to treat yours. Some of the most frequently seen causes of gum recession are:
- SMOKING OR CHEWING TOBACCO
The poisonous chemicals in any tobacco products can damage your gums. Further, while they don't contain tobacco, the gooey elements in e-cigarettes and vaping liquid can also be harmful. Talk about tobacco cessation with your primary care physician and then visit your dentist to go over ways to enhance your oral health. - GENETICS
Hereditary factors may predispose you to gum recession, which will make it more necessary to be vigilant about your oral health. Ask if your parents or siblings have experienced gum disease and then tell your dental practitioner. - HORMONAL CHANGES
The fluctuating hormones that women experience during adolescence, pregnancy, and with menopause can trigger worsening gum swelling and redness as well as heightened discomfort. It is very important to be aware of pregnancy gingivitis because it has the potential to negatively impact the health of the expecting mom and the child. - GRINDING AND CLENCHING YOUR TEETH
Numerous people clench their teeth and jaws if they are anxious at work or as they sleep (nocturnal bruxism). The force of grinding and clenching wears down your teeth and gums. - MALOCCLUSION AND UNEVEN TEETH
As with tooth grinding, crooked teeth and a misaligned bite (dental malocclusion) can place extra pressure on your jaws, teeth, and gums. Set up a visit with your dentist in Lake Worth, TX to learn about dental treatments like Invisalign to gradually move your teeth into the correct alignment. - BRUSHING YOUR TEETH TOO AGGRESSIVELY
Even though it might sound strange, brushing your teeth too much can also lead to gum recession. Brushing too often and too harshly eventually eats away at the soft tissue. It's important to be using a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth and massage your gums. - INCONSISTENT DENTAL HYGIENE
Neglecting to floss and brush every day allows food particles and plaque to build up between your teeth, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease is a top reason that men and women begin to have eroding gums. Flossing is particularly crucial to eliminating this accumulation from your gumline and promoting blood circulation. - GUM DISEASE
The top reason behind receding gums is periodontitis, the most advanced phase of gum disease. This disease in your soft tissue can lead to gum recession if not promptly treated.
OPTIONS FOR MANAGING GUM RECESSION
To establish the most appropriate treatment for your receding gums, your dentist will need to diagnose the cause. Gum deterioration caused by gum disease will be treated based on how serious your case is. For those who have the initial stage of periodontal disease, commonly known as gingivitis, dentists usually do multiple scaling and root planing (SRP) sessions. A nonsurgical deep-cleaning method, SRP therapy removes the accumulated plaque from your gum pockets and evens out the enamel to help avoid future buildup. If SRP therapy is not enough to improve the health of your gums, or if you are experiencing the more advanced stage of gum disease referred to as periodontitis, your dentist may perform periodontal surgery, or they could refer you to a gum specialist. During gum surgery, tiny, precise cuts will be created in your gum tissue to enter deeper into your gum pockets and remove buildup on your tooth roots. SRP treatments and gum surgery are often accompanied by a cycle of prescription antibiotics to clear any surviving bacteria. After SRP treatment and periodontal surgery, your dentist will wait a bit for your gums to heal and regenerate on their own. In the event that your gumline is still too high, periodontal plastic surgery could be performed. Periodontal plastic surgeries typically use tissue from other places in your mouth, for example, your roof palate, to increase tissue where required along your gumline. Synthetic and donor grafts could also be used for patients who don't have sufficient tissue to build a proper gumline. After you have recovered from gingival grafting, it is important to follow a good home oral hygiene regimen and attend regular visits with your dental practitioner in Lake Worth, TX for yearly dental checkups and twice-yearly professional cleanings.
BRING BACK YOUR GUMS
Gum tissue is integral to your general oral well-being, so you have to maintain your gums in order to achieve an attractive, vibrant smile. Set up a comprehensive oral exam with a dentist if you have questions about periodontal disease or receding gums. At MINT dentistry in Lake Worth, our skilled team of dental professionals provides diagnoses and multiple treatment options for receding gums, including scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery, and gingival grafting. Call or come by our office in Lake Worth, TX to schedule exams for your entire family.