Gum Recession
While we are usually aware of the appearance and health of our teeth, our gums can often go unnoticed. Although our gums don’t have the starring role in our smile, they still play a significant role in keeping our smiles attractive. Gum recession can cause the roots of your teeth to become exposed as the gums recede or pull away from the teeth. If this happens, your body loses its natural defense against bacteria and trauma, putting you at risk for tooth loss. While this may sound frightening, gum recession can be reversed when caught and treated early.
What Is Gum Recession?
Our gums are made of tissue designed to cover and protect the roots of our teeth. Gum recession is the loss of tissue in the gums. When this occurs, bacteria, plaque, and other forms of decay can reach the roots of the teeth, thus creating or worsening other oral concerns, such as periodontal disease.
Gum Recession Can Be Caused by…
- Periodontal disease
- Poor oral hygiene
- Heredity
- Abnormal tooth positioning
- Overly vigorous tooth brushing
- Hormonal changes
- Abnormal tooth positioning
- Smoking
- Grinding your teeth
Your Treatment Options
Modification of
Oral Health Care
For minor cases of gum recession or when caused by the over-brushing of teeth, changing your at-home oral care may be all that is required. It is recommended that you gently brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled brush.
Scaling and
Root Planing
For cases of mild gum recession, deep cleaning of the affected area usually suffices. In this non-surgical procedure, built up plaque and tartar on the teeth and beneath the gum line are carefully removed before the tooth roots are smoothed, allowing the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth.
Gum
Grafting Procedures
Soft tissue grafts are commonly used to treat receding gums. This gum recession treatment is often required once the recession reaches the mucosa and the first line of defense has been threatened.
A soft tissue graft, known as a gingival graft, takes a thin piece of tissue from the roof of the mouth or adjacent area and gently moves the tissue to cover the exposed portion of the root. This added skin provides stability and healthy tissue around the tooth. Other types of Gum Grafts include pedicle graft and connective tissue graft.
Guided Bone and
Tissue Regeneration
If gum recession has led to bone degeneration, tissue regeneration may hinder bacteria growth and the spread of infection. In this procedure, the developed pockets in the gum are cleaned, a bone graft is placed and a membrane is inserted in between the soft tissue and the bone to allow for the bone to regenerate itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have receding gums?
Gums often recede very slowly, and it may not be immediately apparent. The first sign of gum recession is often tooth sensitivity, especially to hot and cold foods. You should always be aware of your oral appearance and note any change in the visible lengths of your teeth.
What can happen if I don’t treat my gum recession?
When left untreated, gum recession can worsen, leading to cavities, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss.
How can my gums recede if they are healthy?
The practice of over-aggressive brushing often causes gum recession. Brushing your teeth hard will not clean them any better; instead, you are only putting yourself at risk for future complications. Dr. Salamati can provide you with tips to safely and adequately brush your teeth to avoid gum recession.
How can I prevent gum recession?
Your best defense against gum recession is proper oral hygiene and maintenance. Practice consistent brushing, flossing, and rinsing as well as attending routine check-ups with Dr. Salamati.
Can I treat different areas of the mouth affected by gum recession at the same time?
Areas affected by gum recession that are too far apart cannot be treated at the same time. This is because the area from which soft tissue is harvested and the area where soft tissue was donated needs to heal. However, if there are several teeth in a row that need gum grafting, they may be treated simultaneously.
Can receding gums grow back?
Unfortunately, once the gum tissue has receded from the teeth, it will not grow back. Gum grafts can help regenerate the gum tissue around the teeth that was lost.