Frequent Causes Why You Might Have Gum Recession and Ways To Prevent It
ALL ABOUT YOUR GUMS
Although your teeth are an essential part of how attractive your smile looks, your gums are equally as important. This remarkable tissue in your mouth is the foundation of your smile and serves the necessary purposes of securing your teeth in position and sheltering their sensitive roots. Therefore, a receding gumline is more pressing than an aesthetic concern. It is a serious dental condition. To keep your gums healthy, you need to learn the top causes of gum recession. With that knowledge, you can alter your lifestyle and oral health practices to defend against receding gums. Also, if you currently have receding gums, there are many options for procedures that can aid in restoring your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Bishop Arts, our skilled team of dental professionals performs preventive care and many interventions for gum recession, each of which is selected according to the cause of your gum recession. Read on to find out more about gum recession, the causes, and frequently used treatment options. Local individuals who want to ensure the health of their gums and wish to keep their smiles looking attractive should set up an oral health assessment with a dental practitioner in Dallas, TX.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GUM RECESSION
A receding gumline develops when the delicate gum tissue begins to withdraw from the teeth. More and more of the enamel is visible until, eventually, the tooth roots are also uncovered. Gum recession typically does not happen overnight; first, you'll begin to notice symptoms such as inflamed and tender gums that bleed while brushing and/or flossing. Secretions at your gumline and chronic foul-smelling breath (halitosis) are also symptoms that are likely to develop before gum recession. When you see any of them, it's important that you set up an appointment with your dental practitioner in Dallas, TX as soon as possible. If gum recession is neglected, your teeth might begin to loosen or fall out, since the gum tissues can't hold them in position.
TOP CAUSES OF RECEDING GUMS
Regrettably, receding gums are not an uncommon dental problem, particularly for individuals over 40 years old. There are many causes of gum recession, which will help your dentist in deciding how to treat yours. Some of the most common reasons behind gum erosion are:
- USING TOBACCO
The unhealthy chemicals in tobacco products can hurt your gums. Further, though they don't contain tobacco, the gooey elements in e-cigarettes and vaping liquid are also dangerous. Discuss tobacco cessation with your primary care physician and then see your dentist to discuss ways to enhance your oral health. - INSUFFICIENT DENTAL CARE
Failing to floss and brush after eating allows food bits and plaque to build up along your gums, which can lead to gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is a very common reason that men and women begin to experience gum recession. Flossing is particularly critical in cleaning buildup from your gumline and boosting blood circulation. - GRINDING AND CLENCHING YOUR TEETH
Many people grind their teeth and clench their jaws when they are worried at work or while sleeping (nocturnal bruxism). The intensity of grinding and clenching erodes your teeth and gums. - HEREDITY
Family history can predispose you to gum recession, which means it will be more important to take extra care of your oral health. Find out whether any family members have dealt with periodontal disease and then let your dentist know. - MALOCCLUSION AND CROOKED TEETH
As with bruxism, irregularly positioned teeth and a misaligned bite (dental malocclusion) can place unnecessary pressure on your jaws, teeth, and gums. Plan a visit with your dentist in Dallas, TX to learn about treatments like Invisalign to gradually move your teeth into the proper position. - GUM DISEASE
The leading cause of receding gums is periodontitis, the latest phase of gum disease. This disease in your soft tissue can lead to gum recession if not properly treated. - HORMONE FLUCTUATIONS
The fluctuating hormones that females go through during adolescence, pregnancy, and with menopause can trigger intensified gum swelling and redness as well as elevated discomfort. It is especially important to prevent gingivitis during pregnancy, since it has the potential to affect the health of both the expecting mom and the infant. - BRUSHING TOO MUCH
While it may seem strange, brushing your teeth too often can also be a cause of receding gums. Brushing too often and too aggressively slowly wears down the gums. All dentists recommend using a brush with soft bristles to brush your teeth and gums.
YOUR CHOICES FOR TREATING GUM EROSION
To choose the ideal treatment for your gum recession, your dental practitioner will need to diagnose the cause. Gum erosion caused by gum disease will be treated in relation to how serious your gum disease is. For people who have the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, dentists often perform several scaling and root planing (SRP) sessions. A noninvasive deep-cleaning method, SRP therapy eliminates the accumulated plaque inside your gum pockets and polishes away pits in the enamel to help avoid future buildup. If SRP deep cleaning is not able to restore the health of your gums, or if you are experiencing the second stage of gum disease referred to as periodontitis, your dentist can possibly perform periodontal surgery, or they may refer you to a periodontist. During this procedure, tiny, precise cuts will be made in your gum tissue to penetrate deeper into your gum pockets and remove buildup along your tooth roots. SRP treatments and gum surgery are often accompanied by a round of antibiotics to kill any leftover bacteria. Following SRP therapy or periodontal surgery, your dental practitioner will wait a bit for your gums to heal and regrow on their own. In cases where your gumline is still too high, gum graft surgery can be done. Gum grafts often use tissue from different areas of your mouth, including your roof palate, to supplement the coverage where required on your gumline. Synthetic and donor grafts could also be used for individuals who don't have adequate tissue to build a robust gumline. Once you have recovered from gum grafting, it is vital that you practice a consistent home oral hygiene routine and attend regular appointments with your dentist in Dallas, TX for yearly dental examinations and biannual professional cleanings.
RESTORE YOUR GUMS
Your gums are vital to your oral health, so it's necessary to maintain your gums to achieve a beautiful smile. Set up an oral health evaluation with your dentist if you have questions about periodontal disease or gum recession. At MINT dentistry in Bishop Arts, our knowledgeable staff of dental professionals offers diagnoses and effective treatment options for receding gums, including scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery, and gingival grafting. Call or come by our practice in Dallas, TX to schedule exams for your family.