THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR GUMS
Although your teeth are fundamental to how healthy your smile looks, your gums are equally as important. This soft tissue is the basis for your smile and serves the necessary functions of keeping your teeth in place and guarding their sensitive roots. This is why a receding gumline is not simply a cosmetic issue; it is a significant dental condition. If you want to keep your gums healthy, you have to know the most frequent causes of gum recession. With that knowledge, you can adapt your lifestyle and oral health regimen to defend against receding gums. Plus, if you already have receding gums, there are several options for treatments that can aid in restoring your gumline. At DentalWorks – Anderson, our experienced team of dental professionals provides preventive care and multiple treatments for receding gums, which will be chosen based on the cause of your gum recession. Read on to find out more about gum recession, the causes, and effective treatment options. Local individuals who are concerned about the health of their gums need to schedule an oral health assessment with a dentist in Anderson, SC.
THE DANGERS OF GUM RECESSION
A receding gumline happens when the soft tissue begins to withdraw from the teeth. More and more of the enamel is visible until, gradually, the roots are also uncovered. Gum recession usually does not occur in one day; first, you’ll develop symptoms like red, swollen, and sore gums that bleed readily. Secretions along your gumline and consistent bad breath (halitosis) are also indicators that usually precede gum recession. When you see any of these, we urge you to schedule a visit with your dentist in Anderson, SC as soon as possible. If gum recession is ignored, your teeth might begin to loosen and fall out, because the gum tissue aren’t strong enough to hold them in position.
CAUSES OF GUM RECESSION
Regrettably, gum recession is not an unusual dental issue, especially for individuals over the age of 40. There are several causes of gum recession, which can assist your dentist in deciding how to treat yours. A few of the most common are:
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.
