Typical Reasons Why People Could Develop Receding Gums and How To Manage It
THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR GUMS
Although your teeth are an essential part of how gorgeous your smile is, your gums are just as important. This soft tissue surrounding your teeth is the substructure of your smile and performs the crucial functions of keeping your teeth in place and shielding their vulnerable roots. This is why a receding gumline is not simply a cosmetic concern; it is a serious dental condition. To keep your gums healthy, you need to learn the leading precursors to gum recession. From there, you can adjust your lifestyle and oral health practices to stave off gum recession. Further, if you already suffer from receding gums, you have many options for treatments that can help in healing your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Pearland, our skilled team of dental professionals performs preventive care as well as a full range of treatments for gum recession, each of which is selected according to the cause of your gum erosion. Read on to learn more about receding gums, the causes, and effective treatment methods. Local patients who want to protect their gum health and would like to keep their teeth and gums looking attractive should set up an oral health evaluation with a dental practitioner in Pearland, TX.
TOOTH LOSS AND GUM RECESSION
Gum erosion develops when the delicate gumline starts to shrink away from the teeth. More and more of the enamel is visible until, eventually, the tooth roots are also exposed. Gum recession typically won't develop abruptly; first, you'll start to notice symptoms such as inflamed and painful gums that bleed for no reason. Pus at your gumline and persistent bad breath (halitosis) are also symptoms that typically develop before receding gums. In the event that you have any of them, we urge you to schedule an appointment with your dental practitioner in Pearland, TX as soon as possible. If gum recession is neglected, your teeth can loosen and fall out, since the gum tissues aren't able to keep them in place.
COMMON CAUSES OF GUM RECESSION
Sadly, gum recession is not an unusual dental issue, particularly for individuals over the age of 40. There are many causes of gum recession, which will aid your dentist in determining how to treat yours. Several of the most frequently seen causes of gum recession are:
- POOR DENTAL CARE
Choosing not to brush and floss after eating causes food debris and plaque to accumulate along your gums, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease is a top reason that men and women begin to experience gum recession. Flossing is especially critical in eliminating this accumulation from your gums and stimulating blood circulation. - BRUSHING YOUR TEETH TOO HARD
Though it may sound odd, brushing your teeth too often can also lead to receding gums. Brushing too much and too aggressively slowly wears down the gums. You should be using a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth and massage your gums. - GUM DISEASE
The most common cause of gum recession is periodontitis, the most advanced phase of gum disease. This infection in your gum tissue can cause gum recession if not properly treated. - HEREDITY
Family history may predispose you to receding gums, which means it will be more necessary to take extra care of your oral health. Ask if any family members have had gum disease and then tell your dental practitioner. - BRUXISM
A large number of people clench their teeth and jaws when they are stressed during the day or as they sleep (nocturnal bruxism). The pressure of clenching and grinding wears down your teeth and gums. - USING TOBACCO
The dangerous toxins in tobacco products can damage your gums. Further, though they don't include tobacco, the gooey ingredients in e-cigarettes and vaping liquid are also dangerous. Talk about tobacco cessation with your doctor and then see your dental practitioner to go over ways to restore your oral health. - MISALIGNED BITES OR UNEVEN TEETH
Similar to tooth grinding, irregularly positioned teeth and malocclusion (bite misalignment) can impose unnecessary force on your jaws, teeth, and gums. Set up an appointment with your dentist in Pearland, TX to learn about orthodontic treatments like Invisalign to gently move your bite into the correct position. - HORMONE FLUCTUATIONS
The shifting hormones that females experience during puberty, pregnancy, and throughout menopause can lead to intensified gum swelling and redness as well as increased soreness. It is especially important to protect yourself from gingivitis during pregnancy, since it can affect the health of both the mother and the infant.
OPTIONS FOR TREATING RECEDING GUMS
To choose the most appropriate treatment for your receding gums, your dental practitioner will have to locate the cause. Receding gums caused by gum disease will be treated based on how serious your condition is. For individuals who have the initial stage of gum disease, commonly known as gingivitis, dentists often perform multiple scaling and root planing (SRP) treatments. A very common procedure, SRP therapy removes the buildup from your gum pockets and evens out the enamel to help avoid future buildup. If SRP deep cleaning is not enough to improve your gum health, or if you have the next stage of gum disease (periodontitis), your dentist might perform periodontal surgery, or they could refer you to an oral surgeon. During periodontal surgery, tiny, precise cuts will be made in your gum tissue to penetrate deeper into your gum pockets and clean any accumulation along your tooth roots. SRP therapy and periodontal surgery are typically followed by a round of prescription antibiotics to kill any leftover bacteria. Following SRP therapy or gum surgery, your dental practitioner will allow some time for your gums to heal and regrow on their own. If your gumline is still too high, periodontal plastic surgery can be done. Gingival grafts generally use tissue from different areas of your mouth, including your roof palate, to supplement the tissue where required along your gumline. Man-made and donor grafts might also be used for individuals who don't have adequate tissue to build a proper gumline. Once you have healed from gum grafting, it is vital that you follow a good home oral hygiene routine and have regular visits with your dentist in Pearland, TX for yearly dental examinations and twice-yearly professional cleanings.
IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF YOUR GUMS
Your gums are integral to your general oral health, so you have to maintain your gums to maintain a beautiful smile. Schedule an oral health assessment with a dentist if you are concerned about gum disease or receding gums. At MINT dentistry in Pearland, our knowledgeable staff of dental professionals provides diagnoses and many treatment options for receding gums, including scaling and root planing, gum surgery, and gingival grafting. Contact our office in Pearland, TX to set up appointments for your family.