Gum recession, also known as receding gums, is one of the most prevalent oral health issues among adults. The condition is progressive in nature because it occurs when the gum tissue gradually withdraws along the sides of the tooth, exposing the delicate roots. These early changes often go unnoticed by many and so are treated professionally.
Our vision at NewStar Dental is to educate patients about the causes of gum recession, the signs and symptoms of this condition, and how contemporary medicine can effectively restore gum health.
What Is Gum Recession?
Gum recession is a complication that is experienced when the soft tissue that covers your teeth starts to shrink or wear out. When the gums are shrinking, a greater proportion of the tooth structure is exposed, and in some cases, even some of the root. This may cause the teeth to appear longer and cause greater sensitivity or discomfort.
Properly shaped gums form a very effective barrier around every tooth that surrounds the bone and nerve endings. In case such a protective wall is weaker, bacteria might get into more profound spaces, exposing the risk of deterioration and infection. When not treated, gum recession may result in the instability of teeth or loss of teeth.
Common Causes of Receding Gums
Gums can start to recede because of a number of reasons. Among the most common ones is gum disease, a bacterial infection that causes the destruction of tissue and bone that support your teeth. Nevertheless, recession may also be caused by excessively vigorous brushing, grinding, or clenching your teeth, and even genetics- some people are born with thin gum tissue.
Smoking or consumption of tobacco products is are lifestyle habits that reduce the healing capacity of the body and predisposes the gums. Even the misalignment of teeth may lead to an uneven distribution of pressure in some places, slowly eroding the gumline. The effect of aging is also a factor; as we get older, our tissues naturally make themselves weaken and thin.
Early Warning Signs and Symptoms
Gum recession can be gradual, and as such, the initial symptoms are easily ignored. The first thing that you may feel is that your teeth have become hypersensitive to hot or cold food, or that there has been a slight alteration in the appearance of your teeth, say that they appear a little longer than before. There are instances where the gums can bleed during the process of brushing or flossing, or be reddish and puffy.
Bad breath persistence, loose teeth, or little crevices that develop around the gumline are other indications that cannot be overlooked. The slightest pain may serve as a sign that your gums require professional treatment.
How to Treat Receding Gums
The contemporary gum recession therapy has several effective remedies based on the severity of the problem. In light cases, a procedure known as scaling and root planing, which involves deep cleaning, can be performed to remove plaque and bacteria underneath the gum line, and then the gums will reattach on their own.
In severe instances, your dentist might prescribe gum grafting, where good tissue that usually forms the roof of the mouth is used to cover the exposed roots and replace the gumline.
The pinhole surgical technique is also another innovative technique, which is a minimally invasive procedure that is comfortable to reposition the gum tissue by using tiny holes without the use of stitches. Laser therapy is also beneficial to some patients as it is an accurate way of getting rid of infected tissue and causing healing with minimal pain.
All these treatments are safe, effective, and customized to fit your unique needs.
Can Receding Gums Grow Back?
Gum tissue is simply not able to grow once it has receded. Nonetheless, with the help of a professional dentist, the condition of your gums will be restored, as well as their appearance. Grafting and tissue regeneration are some of the techniques that enable dentists to restore the gumline and shield roots that are exposed.
Treatment is able to prevent or undo harm, but prevention of the same is the best. Routine oral care and frequent check-ups with the dentist are the two main in ensure that your gums will stay healthy for many years down the road.
Prevention Tips
The gum protection does not imply complex practices, only a few regular habits. Brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush, floss every day, and use toothpaste that helps maintain gums. Scheduling dental check-ups regularly enables your dentist to identify early changes at the onset before they degenerate into a serious problem.
In case you smoke, you should quit because the consumption of tobacco seriously decelerates the healing process. To those who grind their teeth at night, a custom mouthguard may be used to reduce the pressure on the gums. Such easy measures with professional care can have a long-term effect on the prevention of gum loss.
When to See a Dentist
In case of continued bleeding, tenderness in the gums, or apparent gum loss, you need to see a dentist to treat treated of gum disease. Quite Sensitivity that does not go away with desensitising toothpaste, or any alteration of the way your teeth fit together, is also one that should be examined by a professional.
We have the NewStar Dental, and our skilled staff apply the modern diagnostic equipment in order to determine the root cause of the gum recession and recommend a tailor-made treatment therapy that will restore comfort, confidence, and long-term gum health.
Healthy Gums vs. Receding Gums
Proper gums are hard, pink, and wrap tightly around every tooth. Receding gums, on the other hand, can be red or inflamed and will retreat and recede around the teeth, causing them to appear longer. One may also develop increased sensitivity to hot or cold food, and bleeding during brushing is also more frequent. The best way to save your smile is to recognize these differences at an early age.
Conclusion
Gum recession is not just a cosmetic problem; it is an indication of underlying gum damage, which requires professional care. The sooner it is treated, the simpler it is to halt the disease and still recover your oral hygiene.
Don’t wait, and in case you have observed gum sensitivity or recession in the sight. Make an appointment with NewStar Dental. Our caring staff will provide safe and effective gum recession therapy to enable you to have a healthy and confident smile once more.
