Common Reasons Why Patients Could Develop Gum Recession and How To Treat It
THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR GUMS
Although your teeth are an important part of how healthy your smile is, your gums are also important. This amazing tissue in your mouth is the foundation of your smile and serves the important functions of keeping your teeth in place and guarding their sensitive roots. Therefore, gum erosion is more pressing than a cosmetic problem. It is a serious dental condition. If you want to keep your gums in good health, you must be aware of the typical precursors to gum recession. From there, you can adjust your lifestyle and oral health regimen to avoid gum recession. However, if you currently suffer from receding gums, there are multiple options for procedures that can aid in healing your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Fort Worth Horne, our knowledgeable staff of dental professionals provides both preventive care as well as a full range of interventions for gum recession, which are selected depending on the reason behind your gum erosion. Continue reading to discover more about gum recession, the causes, and effective treatment methods. Area individuals who have questions about the health of their gums and wish to keep their smiles looking attractive should plan an oral health examination with their dental practitioner in Fort Worth, TX.
THE DANGERS OF RECEDING GUMS
Gum erosion develops when the delicate gum tissue starts to withdraw from the teeth. More and more of the tooth becomes visible until, over time, the tooth roots are also bare. Gum recession usually does not occur abruptly; first, you'll start to notice symptoms such as red, swollen, and painful gums that bleed for no reason. Secretions at your gumline and chronic foul-smelling breath (halitosis) are also symptoms that often precede receding gums. When you see any of them, we urge you to set up a consultation with your dentist in Fort Worth, TX as soon as possible. If gum recession is ignored, your teeth may begin to become loose and fall out, since the gum tissues can't hold them in place.
TOP REASONS BEHIND RECEDING GUMS
Sadly, gum recession is not an unusual dental issue, especially for patients over 40 years old. There are multiple causes of receding gums, which can help your dental practitioner in deciding how to manage yours. Several of the most frequently seen reasons behind gum recession are:
- GUM DISEASE
The leading cause of receding gums is periodontitis, the latest stage of periodontal disease. This disease in your soft tissue can cause gum recession if not correctly treated. - TOBACCO PRODUCTS
The unhealthy toxins in all tobacco products can hurt your gums. In addition, while they don't include tobacco, the gooey elements in e-cigarettes and vaping liquid are also harmful. Get help with tobacco cessation with your general practitioner and then visit your dental practitioner to learn about your options to bring back your oral health. - INSUFFICIENT DENTAL HYGIENE
Failing to brush and floss every day allows food remnants and plaque to accumulate along your gums, which can promote gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is a top reason that patients start to have eroding gums. Flossing is especially crucial to removing this accumulation from your gumline and helping blood circulation. - MALOCCLUSION OR IRREGULARLY POSITIONED TEETH
As with tooth grinding, uneven teeth and a misaligned bite (dental malocclusion) can inflict extra weight on your jaws, teeth, and gums. Set up an appointment with your dental practitioner in Fort Worth, TX to talk about treatments like Invisalign to gradually change your teeth into the correct position. - GRINDING AND CLENCHING YOUR TEETH
A large number of people clench their teeth and jaws when they are anxious during the day or while sleeping (nocturnal bruxism). The force of grinding and clenching wears down your teeth and oral soft tissue. - HORMONAL CHANGES
The changing hormones that women go through during puberty, while pregnant, and throughout menopause can lead to worsening gum swelling and redness and elevated soreness. It is very important to prevent gingivitis during pregnancy because it might affect the health of the pregnant woman and the infant. - BRUSHING YOUR TEETH TOO AGGRESSIVELY
Though it may seem odd, brushing your teeth too often can also lead to gum recession. Brushing too much or too aggressively slowly eats away at the gums. You should be using a brush with soft bristles to brush your teeth and gums. - HEREDITY
Your DNA might predispose you to gum recession, which will make it more necessary to be vigilant about your teeth and gums. Ask whether any family members have experienced gum disease and then tell your dental practitioner.
METHODS OF MANAGING GUM EROSION
To determine the proper treatment for your gum recession, your dentist will have to diagnose the cause. Receding gums caused by gum disease will be treated based on how serious your condition is. For those who present with the first stage of periodontal disease, commonly known as gingivitis, dentists often perform multiple scaling and root planing (SRP) sessions. A very common deep-cleaning method, SRP therapy eliminates the accumulated plaque from your gum pockets and polishes away pits in the enamel to prevent future buildup. If SRP therapy is not enough to restore your oral health, or if you have the next stage of gum disease (periodontitis), your dental practitioner might perform gum surgery, or they might refer you to an oral surgeon. During periodontal surgery, incisions will be made in your gum tissue to reach deeper into your gum pockets and remove the plaque on your tooth roots. SRP treatments and periodontal surgery are often followed by a round of prescription antibiotics to clear any persistent bacteria. After SRP therapy or gum surgery, your dentist will wait a bit for your gums to mend and regenerate on their own. In cases where your gumline is still too recessed, gingival graft surgery can be done. Periodontal plastic surgeries generally utilize tissue from other places in your mouth, such as your roof palate, to supplement the coverage where required along your gumline. Man-made and donor grafts might also be used for individuals who don't have enough tissue to build a robust gumline. Once you have healed from gingival grafting, it is vital that you follow a consistent home oral hygiene routine and attend regular appointments with your dental practitioner in Fort Worth, TX for yearly dental checkups and biannual professional cleanings.
REHABILITATE YOUR GUMLINE
Your gums are vital to your overall oral health, so you have to maintain your gums to have a stunning, pristine smile. Set up an oral health checkup with a dentist if you have questions about periodontal disease or receding gums. At MINT dentistry in Fort Worth Horne, our skilled team of dental professionals offers diagnoses and many treatment options for gum recession, including scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery, and gum grafting. Contact our facility in Fort Worth, TX to schedule exams for your entire family.