Frequent Reasons Patients Could Develop Receding Gums and Ways To Prevent It
ALL ABOUT YOUR GUMS
Even though your teeth are an essential part of how sexy your smile looks, your gums are equally as important. This remarkable tissue surrounding your teeth is the foundation of your smile and serves the vital functions of holding your teeth in position and protecting their vulnerable roots. Therefore, gum erosion is not simply an aesthetic issue. It is a serious dental condition. To keep your gums healthy, you must know the most frequent causes of gum recession. From there, you can change your habits and oral health routine to avoid gum recession. However, if you already suffer from receding gums, you have many options for treatments that can help in restoring your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Humble, our knowledgeable staff of dental professionals offers both preventive care as well as many interventions for receding gums, which are selected according to the reason behind your gum recession. Continue reading to discover more about gum recession, the causes, and effective treatment options. Area men and women who want to maintain the health of their gums and would like to keep their teeth and gums looking sexy are invited to set up an oral health examination with their dentist in Humble, TX.
ALL ABOUT GUM RECESSION
Gum recession occurs when the soft gum line starts to withdraw from the teeth. An increasing amount of the tooth becomes exposed until, over time, the sensitive tooth roots are also bare. Gum recession usually won't occur rapidly; first, patients will start to develop symptoms like red, swollen, and tender gums that bleed for no reason. Secretions along your gumline and persistent bad breath (halitosis) are also signs that typically precede gum recession. In the event that you notice any of them, you should set up a consultation with your dentist in Humble, TX right away. If receding gums are ignored, your teeth are likely to loosen and fall out, since the gum tissues aren't strong enough to hold them in position.
LEADING REASONS BEHIND GUM RECESSION
Sadly, receding gums are not an unusual dental issue, particularly for people over the age of 40. There are multiple causes of gum recession, which should help your dental practitioner in determining the best way to treat yours. A few of the most frequently seen causes of receding gums are:
- HORMONAL FLUCTUATIONS
The variations in hormones that women experience during adolescence, pregnancy, and all the way through menopause can cause advanced gum swelling and redness and heightened discomfort. It is quite important to protect yourself from pregnancy periodontal disease because it has the potential to affect the health of the expecting mom and the baby. - GENETICS
Your DNA might predispose you to gum recession, which will make it more necessary to pay attention to your oral health. Find out whether any family members have dealt with gum disease and then let your dentist know. - BRUXISM
A large number of people clench their jaws and/or grind their teeth if they are anxious at work or as they sleep (nocturnal bruxism). The intensity of grinding and clenching erodes your teeth and gums. - POOR DENTAL CARE
Failing to floss and brush daily allows food debris and plaque to accumulate between your teeth, which can lead to gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is a very common reason that patients start to have gum recession. Flossing is particularly important in removing buildup from your gums and boosting blood circulation. - TOBACCO PRODUCTS
The poisonous chemicals in tobacco products can hurt your gums. In addition, though they don't have tobacco, the sticky elements in e-cigarettes and vaping liquid are also dangerous. Get help with tobacco cessation with your primary care physician and then make an appointment with your dentist to learn about ways to enhance your oral health. - GUM DISEASE
The top cause of gum recession is periodontitis, the latest phase of periodontal disease. This disease of your soft tissue will likely cause gum recession if not properly treated. - MALOCCLUSION AND IRREGULARLY POSITIONED TEETH
Like with tooth grinding, crooked teeth and a misaligned bite (dental malocclusion) can put unnecessary weight on your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Set up an appointment with your dentist in Humble, TX to talk about orthodontic options like Invisalign to gently change your teeth into the best alignment. - BRUSHING YOUR TEETH TOO MUCH
Though it may sound odd, scrubbing your teeth too often can also lead to receding gums. Brushing too much or too harshly slowly wears down the soft tissue. You should be using a soft-bristled toothbrush when you clean your teeth and massage your gums.
OPTIONS FOR MANAGING RECEDING GUMS
To establish the proper treatment for your receding gums, your dental practitioner will first have to diagnose the cause. Gum erosion caused by gum disease will be treated according to how serious your gum disease is. For men and women who present with the first stage of periodontal disease, commonly known as gingivitis, dentists often conduct a number of scaling and root planing (SRP) sessions. A noninvasive deep-cleaning method, SRP therapy removes the buildup from your gum pockets and smoothes the enamel to help avoid future buildup. If SRP therapy is not enough to restore the health of your gums, or if you are experiencing the second stage of gum disease (periodontitis), your dentist might perform gum surgery, or he or she may refer you to an oral surgeon. During this procedure, tiny, precise cuts will be created in your gum tissue to penetrate deeper into your gum pockets and remove buildup on your tooth roots. Both SRP treatments and gum surgery are generally accompanied by a cycle of antibiotics to destroy any lingering bacteria. After SRP therapy or gum surgery, your dental practitioner will wait a bit for your gums to mend and regrow. If your gumline is still too high, gum graft surgery can be done. Gingival grafts typically take tissue from other areas of your mouth, including the roof of your mouth, to supplement the coverage where required along your gumline. Synthetic and donor grafts could also be used for individuals who don't have sufficient tissue to create a robust gumline. Once you have healed from gum grafting, it is important to follow a good home oral hygiene regimen and attend regular visits with your dentist in Humble, TX for annual dental examinations and biannual dental cleanings.
BRING BACK YOUR GUMS
Gum tissue is vital to your overall oral well-being, so you need to be careful with your gums in order to enjoy a brilliant, healthy smile. Set up a tooth and gum assessment with a dentist if you have questions about gum disease or gum recession. At MINT dentistry in Humble, our skilled staff of dental professionals offers diagnoses and many treatment options for gum recession, including SRP therapy, periodontal surgery, and gum grafting. Reach out to our facility in Humble, TX to schedule exams for your entire family.