What Are Receding Gums? How to Treat It?
Have you heard of receding gums? It is a common gum disease that affects many people. The situation can be quite serious if not addressed on time, so you should know more about this condition.
There are many different ways to spot signs of receding gums, from X-rays to visual inspection. But the simplest way is to talk with someone experienced who can spot signs before they become too serious.
Here is all you need to know about receding gums, treatment options, and what to do.
What Are Receding Gums?
Receding gums is a condition we diagnose when a gum line or gum tissue pulls from teeth, exposing the vulnerable part and roots underneath. And while the process is quite slow, it can have serious consequences.
It affects people regardless of age, and it might be challenging for you to spot early signs of it. However, an experienced dentist will be able to notice it immediately, helping you avoid problems in the future.
Keep in mind that teeth and gums are constantly moving, even if you can’t notice it. And just because there is a slight change, it doesn’t always mean that there is a serious problem. Of course, if the condition progresses, you will be able to notice it in no time.
Why Does It Happen?
One of the things you’ll probably want to know is why gums move in the first place, as there are a couple of possible reasons for that.
Firstly, people that have periodontal diseases might be affected by this condition. It also applies to those that wore braces or had any orthodontic treatments. If you are chewing tobacco, it can have a negative effect on your oral health. Furthermore, tongue or lip piercings can lead to receding gums as well.
And while brushing your teeth regularly is crucial for oral health, doing it too vigorously can cause a negative effect. Remember that receding gums can also be caused by genetics, so you should have regular check-ups to ensure nothing is going wrong.
Plaque and tartar accumulating on teeth can also lead to gum disease and recession, which is one of many reasons to address the problem as soon as you notice signs. Finally, if you have problems with bruxism or grinding teeth, it can also lead to gum recession.
Signs of Gum Recession
The next thing on the list is symptoms and signs of gum recession. In the early stages, you won’t be able to notice anything since it is a gradual process. And it can be quite slow. But after some time, you might notice increased sensitivity.
That might affect your teeth when you brush and floss, eat, drink, or do anything else. The sensitivity and pain will mostly be along the gum line, and you might also experience pain when eating sweet, hot, and cold foods and drinks.
Over time, the gum will continue receding, and the roots of your teeth will become exposed. Naturally, this will lead to more pain, but it can also cause cavities since teeth are no longer protected.
Complications
There are many different cases of gum recession, and it can have serious consequences for your health. Firstly, the entire process is uncomfortable. And the more it progresses, the worse it will be.
Having exposed roots will lead to increased sensitivity, making it painful for you to eat or drink. Furthermore, exposed roots also mean increased chances of cavities, and it can lead to tooth and bone loss.
So, the only way to keep your teeth and prevent gum recession is to work on improving your oral health.
Treatment Options
Fortunately, there are many ways you can improve the condition and work on preventing receding gums. The type of treatment will depend on the severity of the situation. Mild gum recession can be fixed by deep cleaning the affected area, also known as tooth scaling and root planing.
The dentist will need to remove plaque and tartar if needed and smooth the exposed area to prevent further build-up of bacteria. In some cases, the patient will also need to take antibiotics.
If the situation advances, the only viable option will be surgery. Especially if there is excess bone loss or if the pockets are too deep. The dentist will suggest a soft tissue graft if regeneration is impossible and a huge part of gum tissue is missing.
This procedure is quite simple. The surgeon will cut a flap of skin from the roof of your mouth (or tissue under the flap) and use it to replace the missing part on the gums. That will promote healing and allow you to avoid further problems with teeth and gum.
What To Do?
The first thing you should do is talk about gum recession with your dentist. As mentioned earlier, they will be able to spot the disease in the early stages, which will simplify the treatment procedure.
If the condition is not too advanced, you won’t need to worry about bone and skin grafting. Moreover, you will be able to avoid pain and sensitivity and avoid the worst-case scenario. But even if you don’t have problems with the recession, you can work on preventing it.
And the simplest way to do that is by working on your oral health. If gum recession is already happening, the dentist will suggest one of the mentioned treatment options based on the condition.
Naturally, you should talk to your dentist as soon as you notice that anything is happening in your mouth. That includes sudden pain, sensitivity, or any visual change. But even if you don’t notice the difference, you should have regular check-ups every six months to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy.
Digital X-Rays in Bloomingdale, IL
If you are in need of dental services in Bloomingdale, IL you can always visit Flex Dental. There is a dedicated and experienced team that will be able to solve your problem in no time.
Additionally, you will get to learn all you need to know about receding gums, ways to prevent this condition, and get the treatment that will allow you to have pearly whites in no time. Digital radiography is the latest technology that offers better results, allowing your dentist to use the best methods available to treat any condition.
