Gum recession is a serious dental problem that exposes tooth roots to bacteria and makes teeth appear longer. It can be aggravated by smoking, oral piercings and poor oral hygiene habits.
Gum recession can be a symptom of periodontal disease, bacterial gum infections that destroy the tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place. Receding gums can also cause:
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common signs of gum recession. The underlying dentin layer of your teeth is exposed when the gum tissue recedes, which makes the roots vulnerable to external stimuli. When this occurs, you may feel pain or discomfort when eating or brushing your teeth. The pain you experience is caused by the dentin tubules being irritated or stimulated, which in turn triggers your nerves. This can be triggered by many factors, including hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks, stress or clenching of your teeth at night, chewing tobacco use, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hormonal changes in women during pregnancy, puberty, or menopause.
Tooth sensitivity due to receding gums often occurs on the front or center teeth, but can also affect the back and the sides of your mouth. Since the gums recede gradually, you may not be aware of it until you start to see gaps around your smile or notice extreme sensitivity.
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Your dentist will recommend using a gentle toothbrush and flossing technique, as well as eating a diet high in calcium to prevent further gum recession. They may also suggest using a whitening or tartar control toothpaste to keep your gums healthy. If your sensitivity persists, your dentist may need to perform a gum graft or a root-canal procedure to cover the roots and protect them.
The sensitivity that you experience due to gum recession can also be a sign of serious issues, such as periodontal disease, which is a bacterial infection that destroys the tissue and bone support of your teeth. This can lead to tooth loss if not treated.
Gum recession can be caused by a variety of issues, from over-aggressive brushing to using a hard-bristled toothbrush. It can also be a natural part of the aging process, though it’s important to seek treatment as soon as you begin to notice symptoms. Fortunately, your dental professional can offer a wide range of treatments that will keep your smile healthy and strong! If you have noticed gaps in your smile, red or swollen gums, or pain when brushing, make an appointment with your dental team.
Loose Teeth
Gum tissue is an important barrier that protects the roots of your teeth and connects them to bone in your jaw. When gum disease destroys the underlying tissue that holds your teeth in place, it can lead to gum recession and tooth loss over time. Receding gums are a significant oral health concern and should be treated as soon as possible to prevent further damage and complications. If you suspect you have receding gums, schedule an appointment with a Leesburg dentist today to learn about your treatment options.
Loose teeth are a clear sign of advanced gum recession and should not be ignored. Gum recession leaves the teeth vulnerable to decay and other serious oral health problems, such as loosening and shifting of the remaining gum tissue. Loose teeth can also impact the alignment of your smile, making it look crooked or twisted.
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The most common cause of receding gums is periodontal (gum) disease. This bacterial infection can damage the soft tissue around your teeth and eventually lead to gum recession. Poor oral hygiene is another major contributing factor to gum recession. People who do not brush and floss regularly can allow plaque to build up on their teeth, which hardens into tartar. Gums can become irritated and inflamed when this happens.
Bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth are often symptoms of gum recession. This is because bacteria builds up in pockets that are formed when the gums recede.
Gum recession can be prevented by practicing good oral health habits and visiting the dentist regularly. Your dentist and dental hygienist can teach you how to brush your teeth properly, floss effectively, and use an antibacterial mouthwash to help keep your gums healthy.
Gums do not grow back on their own if they recede, but there are surgical procedures such as gum grafting that can restore the gum line to a more normal position. Practicing good oral hygiene, quitting smoking, and eating a well-balanced diet can also help reduce your risk of gum recession.
Tender Gums
If you’ve noticed your teeth appear longer than they did before, this is a sign that your gum tissue is receding. This exposes more of the roots, which makes them more vulnerable to damage and decay. Fortunately, there are treatment options that can help restore and protect your gums.
The first step is to identify the root cause of your recession. A dental professional can perform a comprehensive oral examination and recommend a variety of treatments depending on the underlying cause.
Poor oral hygiene – A lack of regular tooth brushing and flossing can allow plaque and tartar to build up on your teeth and gum line, which can lead to gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease can destroy the supportive tissue and bones that hold your teeth in place.
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Over-aggressive brushing – Brushing too hard or with a toothbrush with hard bristles can erode your enamel and damage gum tissue. This can also irritate or inflame the gums, contributing to gum recession.
Smoking – Tobacco use restricts blood flow to the gums and can cause irritation and inflammation. It can also promote the formation of sticky plaque that can lead to gum disease and tooth loss.
Hormonal changes – Changes in estrogen levels throughout puberty, pregnancy and menopause can make your gums more sensitive to bacteria. This may contribute to pregnancy gingivitis, which can lead to receding gums if left untreated.
Other causes – Trauma or injury to the mouth, overbite or misaligned teeth can put undue stress on your gums and can contribute to gum recession. Certain medications can also reduce gum tissue’s ability to respond to bacteria.
Once a dental professional determines the root cause of your gum recession, there are several surgical and nonsurgical treatment options available to help restore and protect your gums. This could include scaling and root planing, a procedure that involves removing all of the plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. It can be performed under a local anesthetic and is often completed in two visits. They can also recommend protective strategies such as avoiding tobacco, practicing better oral hygiene and wearing a mouthguard while clenching or grinding your teeth to prevent excessive force on your gums.
Inflammation
Gum recession can cause tooth sensitivity and expose the roots of the teeth, making them susceptible to decay. This is because the roots of your teeth are made up of a softer material that is less impervious to bacteria. It is also a leading cause of gum disease, which is a serious oral health concern that can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
If the roots of your teeth are exposed, you may start to notice that they are very sensitive to cold, hot, sweet or acidic foods. This is caused by the exposure of the roots to bacteria, which can destroy the root surface and the bone that supports it. In addition to tooth sensitivity, you may also experience tooth pain or even loosening of your teeth as the condition progresses.
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Another symptom of receding gums is inflammation of the gums, which can cause the gum tissue to appear red or swollen. This can make it painful to brush your teeth or floss and may cause the gums to bleed when brushed. This is a sign that the gums are irritated and should be treated before the problem escalates into more serious issues.
If you have severe recession, you might need a procedure called pocket depth reduction to regenerate the lost tissue and bone. Your dentist will fold back the gum tissue and remove bacteria and then use a membrane, graft tissue or tissue-stimulating protein to encourage your body to naturally regenerate bone and tissue in the affected area.
Fortunately, gum recession can be prevented or reversed at the early stages of the problem. Regular visits to your dentist for a professional deep cleaning, which includes scaling and root planing, will help to keep the gum tissue healthy and prevent it from receding. Other preventative measures that can be taken include avoiding overaggressive brushing and using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Practicing good oral hygiene habits, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking can all also reduce the risk of receding gums.
It is important to note that once your gums begin to recede, they do not grow back on their own. This is why recognizing the symptoms of gum recession and seeking treatment right away is so vital to ensuring your continued oral health.
