Common Causes Why People Could Develop Receding Gums and How To Manage It
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR GUMS
Although your teeth are a huge factor in how sexy your smile is, your gums are just as important. This delicate tissue in your mouth is the foundation of your smile and performs the necessary functions of keeping your teeth in position and shielding their sensitive roots. This is why a receding gumline is more pressing than a cosmetic concern; it is a serious oral health condition. If you want to keep your gums healthy, you need to know the typical contributing factors of gum recession. Then, you can adapt your habits and oral health regimen to protect yourself from receding gums. Plus, if you already have receding gums, there are multiple options for treatments that can aid in maintaining your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Plano Coit, our knowledgeable staff of dental professionals offers both preventive care as well as multiple interventions for gum recession, which are chosen according to the cause of your gum erosion. Continue reading to learn more about receding gums, the causes, and common treatment options. Local individuals who want to protect the health of their gums and would like to keep their teeth and gums looking gorgeous can schedule an oral health evaluation with a dental practitioner in Plano, TX.
WHY YOU SHOULD WORRY ABOUT GUM RECESSION
A receding gumline occurs when the delicate gum tissue begins to slowly disappear along the teeth. An increasing amount of the enamel becomes visible until, over time, the sensitive roots are also bare. Gum recession usually does not develop abruptly. Often, patients will start to develop symptoms such as inflamed and painful gums that bleed for no reason. Secretions along your gumline and chronic bad breath (halitosis) are also symptoms that can precede receding gums. In the event that you have any of them, please set up a visit with your dentist in Plano, TX right away. If receding gums are ignored, your teeth could become loose or fall out because the gums can't hold them in position.
COMMON CAUSES OF RECEDING GUMS
Unfortunately, receding gums are a common dental problem, particularly for individuals over 40 years old. There are a lot of different causes of gum recession, which will assist your dental practitioner in deciding the best way to treat yours. Several of the most frequently seen causes of receding gums are:
- CIGARETTES, CIGARS, AND VAPING
The poisonous chemicals in tobacco products can damage your gums. Further, while they don't contain tobacco, the gooey formulas in e-cigarettes and vaping liquid can also be harmful. Get help with tobacco cessation with your general practitioner and then see your dental practitioner to discuss ways to restore your oral health. - CLENCHING OR GRINDING TEETH
Many people clench their teeth and jaws if they are tense during the day or as they sleep (nocturnal bruxism). The force of grinding and clenching erodes your teeth and oral soft tissue. - MISALIGNED BITES AND CROOKED TEETH
Like with bruxism, crooked teeth and a misaligned bite (dental malocclusion) can place extra pressure on your jaws, teeth, and gums. Set up an appointment with your dental practitioner in Plano, TX to talk about dental treatments like Invisalign to gradually adjust your bite into the correct position. - HORMONE FLUCTUATIONS
The variations in hormones that women go through during puberty, pregnancy, and all the way through menopause can cause intensified gum swelling and redness and heightened soreness. It is very important to prevent gingivitis during pregnancy because it might affect the health of the expecting mom and the child. - POOR DENTAL CARE
Neglecting to floss and brush after eating allows food detritus and plaque to accumulate between your teeth, which can cause gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is a very common reason that patients start to have gum recession. Flossing is especially crucial to removing buildup from your gums and helping blood circulation. - BRUSHING TOO HARSHLY
Even though it may strike you as counterintuitive, brushing your teeth too roughly can also be a cause of receding gums. Brushing too often and too harshly slowly eats away at the gums. It's important to be using a brush with soft bristles to brush your teeth and massage your gums. - GUM DISEASE
The number one cause of receding gums is periodontitis, the most advanced phase of periodontal disease. This disease in your soft tissue might cause gum recession if not properly treated. - HEREDITY
Genetics might predispose you to gum recession, which means it will be more important to be vigilant about your oral health. Find out if any close relatives have developed periodontitis and then tell your dental practitioner.
YOUR CHOICES FOR MANAGING GUM EROSION
To establish the correct treatment for your receding gums, your dental practitioner will first have to locate the cause. Receding gums caused by periodontal (gum) disease will be treated based on how serious your gum disease is. For people who present with the early stage of periodontal disease, called gingivitis, dentists often recommend multiple scaling and root planing (SRP) sessions. A nonsurgical deep-cleaning method, SRP therapy removes the buildup from your gum pockets and smoothes the enamel to help avoid future accumulation. If SRP therapy is not sufficient to improve your oral health, or if you are experiencing the more advanced stage of gum disease referred to as periodontitis, your dental practitioner may perform periodontal surgery, or they might refer you to an oral surgeon. During periodontal surgery, incisions will be made in your gum tissue to reach farther into your gum pockets and remove the plaque on your tooth roots. SRP treatments and periodontal surgery are often accompanied by a round of prescription antibiotics to kill any remaining bacteria. After SRP therapy or periodontal surgery, your dental practitioner will wait a bit for your gums to get better and regrow on their own. In the event that your gumline is still too high, gingival graft surgery could be done. Gingival grafts often use tissue from other areas of your mouth, including your roof palate, to add coverage where necessary on your gumline. Man-made and donor grafts might also be used for those who don't have enough tissue to create a proper gumline. After you have healed from gum grafting, it is important to practice a careful home oral hygiene regimen and have regular appointments with your dental practitioner in Plano, TX for yearly dental examinations and twice-yearly dental cleanings.
BRING BACK YOUR GUMS
Gum tissue is the basis for your overall dental health, so it's necessary to maintain your gums to achieve a beautiful smile. Schedule a comprehensive oral evaluation with your dentist if you are concerned about periodontal disease or receding gums. At MINT dentistry in Plano Coit, our knowledgeable team of dental professionals offers diagnoses and multiple treatment options for gum recession, including scaling and root planing, gum surgery, and gum grafting. Call or come by our office in Plano, TX to schedule exams for your entire family.