The Most Common Causes of Gum Recession and Top Treatment Options

BRUSHING TOO OFTEN
Though it may seem unusual, brushing your teeth too aggressively can also be a cause of receding gums. Eventually, brushing too hard and too often wears down the gums. You should be using a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth and gums.

INCONSISTENT DENTAL CARE
Neglecting to brush and floss daily allows food detritus and plaque to build up, which can lead to gum disease. Gum disease is a top reason that patients start to have gum recession. Flossing is particularly crucial to eliminating buildup from your gumline and boost blood circulation.

GUM DISEASE
The top cause of gum recession is periodontitis, the latest stage of gum disease. This redness and swelling in your soft tissue might lead to gum recession if not correctly treated.

TYPES OF TREATMENT FOR RECEDING GUMS
To choose the ideal treatment for your gums, your dentist will need to identify the cause. Gum recession caused by periodontal (gum) disease will be treated according to how advanced your gum disease is. For those who have the initial stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, dentists usually recommend several scaling and root planing (SRP) treatments. A nonsurgical procedure, SRP therapy scrapes away the buildup from your gum pockets and smoothes the enamel to protect against future accumulation. If SRP therapy is not sufficient to improve your oral health, or if you have the next stage of gum disease (periodontitis), your dentist might perform periodontal surgery, or he or she may refer you to a periodontist or oral surgeon. During gum surgery, incisions will be made in your gum tissue to penetrate deeper into your gum pockets and remove the plaque along your tooth roots. SRP therapy and gum surgery are typically followed by a round of antibiotics to destroy any persistent bacteria. After SRP therapy and periodontal surgery, your dental practitioner will allow some time for your gums to get better and regrow. In the event that your gumline is still too recessed, gingival graft surgery can be performed. Gingival grafts generally utilize tissue from other areas of your mouth, including the roof of your mouth, to add coverage where necessary on your gumline. Synthetic and donor grafts can also be used for patients who don’t have enough tissue to create a robust gumline. After you have recovered from gingival grafting, it is important to follow a consistent home oral hygiene routine and schedule regular visits with your dentist in Anderson, SC for annual dental examinations and bi-annual professional cleanings.

HEAL YOUR GUMLINE
Your gums are vital to the general health of your teeth, so it’s necessary to be careful with your gum health have a beautiful smile. Schedule a comprehensive oral checkup with a dentist if you are concerned about gum disease or receding gums. At DentalWorks – Anderson, our skilled team of dental professionals offers diagnoses and treatment for receding gums, including scaling and root planing, gum surgery, and gum grafting. Contact our office in Anderson, SC to set up exams for your whole family.