The Most Common Causes of Receding Gums and Common Treatment Procedures

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR GUMS
Even though your teeth are fundamental to how brilliant your smile is, your gums are also important. This delicate tissue in your mouth is the substructure of your smile and performs the crucial purposes of securing your teeth in position and shielding their vulnerable tooth roots. Therefore, a receding gumline is more pressing than an aesthetic problem; it is a worrisome oral health condition. To keep your gums in good health, you must learn the typical precursors to gum recession. Then, you can change your habits and oral health practices to defend against receding gums. Plus, if you currently suffer from receding gums, you have a lot of options for procedures that can assist in the restoration of your gumline. At DentalWorks – Allen Park, our knowledgeable staff of dental professionals performs both preventive care as well as multiple procedures for receding gums, which are selected according to the reason behind your gum recession. Continue reading to understand more about receding gums, the causes, and frequently used treatment methods. Area men and women who have questions about their gum health can set up an oral health evaluation with their dental practitioner in Allen Park, MI.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RECEDING GUMS
Gum recession develops when the delicate gum tissue starts to draw away from the teeth. An increasing amount of the enamel becomes exposed until, over time, the sensitive tooth roots are also bared. Gum recession generally won’t develop in one day; first, patients will begin to have symptoms such as inflamed and painful gums that bleed while brushing and/or flossing. Discharge at your gumline and unremitting foul-smelling breath (halitosis) are also signs that usually develop before receding gums. In the event that you have any of them, we urge you to set up a consultation with your dental practitioner in Allen Park, MI right away. If receding gums are neglected, your teeth might start to become loose or fall out, since the gums aren’t strong enough to keep them secured.

REASONS BEHIND RECEDING GUMS
Sadly, receding gums are not an unusual dental problem, particularly for individuals past 40 years old. There are multiple causes of receding gums, which should aid your dental practitioner in choosing how to manage yours. Several of the most frequently seen are:

  • BRUSHING TOO OFTEN
    While it might strike you as unusual, scrubbing your teeth too aggressively can also lead to gum recession. Gradually, brushing too much or too harshly eats away at the soft tissue. It’s important to be using a brush with soft bristles when you clean your teeth and massage your gums.
  • USING TOBACCO
    The toxins in any tobacco products can weaken your gums. Also, while they don’t include tobacco, the gooey components in vape pens and electronic cigarettes can also be harmful. Get help with quitting tobacco use with your general practitioner and then make an appointment with your dental practitioner to go over your options to enhance your oral health.
  • MALOCCLUSION AND IRREGULARLY SITUATED TEETH
    Like bruxism, irregularly situated teeth and malocclusion (bite misalignment) can inflect extra pressure on your jaws, teeth, and gums. Schedule an appointment with your dental practitioner in Allen Park, MI to learn about orthodontic options like Invisalign to gradually change your bite into the best alignment.
  • INSUFFICENT DENTAL HYGEINE
    Failing to floss and brush your teeth every day causes food detritus and plaque to accumulate, which can promote gum disease. Gum disease is a very common reason that patients begin to develop receding gums. Flossing is especially critical in cleaning this accumulation from your gums and boost blood circulation.
  • GRINDING AND CLENCHING YOUR TEETH
    A large number of people grind their teeth and clench their jaws if they are anxious at work or as they sleep (nocturnal bruxism). The weight of grinding and clenching eats away at your teeth and oral soft tissue.
  • PERIODONTAL DISEASE
    The top cause of receding gums is periodontitis, the worst phase of gum disease. This disease of your soft tissue might cause gum recession if not promptly treated.
  • HORMONAL FLUCTUATIONS
    The surges in hormones that women have during adolescence, pregnancy, and menopause can lead to intensified gum swelling and redness as well as heightened tenderness. It is quite important to prevent pregnancy periodontal disease, because it might negatively impact the health of both the pregnant woman and the child.
  • HEREDITY
    Your DNA can make you vulnerable to receding gums, which means it will be more necessary to pay attention to your teeth and gums. Find out whether any close relatives have suffered from periodontitis and tell your dental practitioner if anyone says they have.

OPTIONS FOR TREATMENT FOR GUM RECESSION
To determine the ideal treatment for your gum recession, your dental practitioner will first have to locate the cause. Receding gums caused by gum disease will be treated in relation to how serious your case is. For those who present with the early stage of gum disease, referred to as gingivitis, dentists often perform a number of scaling and root planing (SRP) sessions. A very common deep cleaning method, SRP therapy eliminates the buildup inside your gum pockets and evens out the enamel to help avoid future buildup. If SRP deep cleaning is not able to elevate the health of your gums, or if you are experiencing the more advanced stage of gum disease referred to as periodontitis, your dental practitioner can possibly perform gum surgery, or they could refer you to a gum specialist or oral surgeon. During periodontal surgery, tiny, precise cuts will be created in your gums to enter further into your gum pockets and remove buildup on your tooth roots. Both SRP treatments and periodontal surgery are typically accompanied by a cycle of prescription antibiotics to kill any persistent bacteria. Following SRP treatment or gum surgery, your dentist will wait a bit for your gums to mend and regenerate on their own. In cases where your gumline remains insufficient, periodontal plastic surgery could be done. Periodontal plastic surgeries generally take tissue from different places in your mouth, such as your roof palate, to increase tissue where required along your gumline. Man-made and donor grafts are often also be used for individuals who don’t have sufficient tissue to build a proper gumline. Once you have healed from periodontal plastic surgery, it is vital that you practice a careful home oral hygiene regimen and attend regular appointments with your dental practitioner in Allen Park, MI for yearly dental check-ups and twice-yearly dental cleanings.

HEAL YOUR GUMS
Your gums are vital to the overall wellbeing of your teeth, so you have to be vigilant about your gum health in order to attain a brilliant, healthy smile. Set up tooth and gum checkup with your dentist if you have questions about periodontal disease or gum recession. At DentalWorks – Allen Park, our knowledgeable staff of dental professionals provides diagnoses and treatment options for gum recession, including SRP therapy, periodontal surgery, and gingival grafting. Call our facility in Allen Park, MI to schedule consultations for your entire family.