While there are many different periodontal, or gum diseases, to be aware of, one that many dental patients forget about is gum recession. Gum recession is when your gum tissue excessively pulls away from your teeth, exposing the roots normally protected by your gums. Gum recession can lead to increased tooth sensitivity, a higher likelihood of cavities setting in, and an increased vulnerability to tooth damage. As the gum recedes, more support of the tooth is lost which can lead to tooth loosening and, in extreme recession, tooth loss.
Prevention is always better than treatment, so ideally you should follow recommended oral hygiene practices to maintain your teeth and gums alike. This is especially true because gum tissue does not grow back on its own after gum recession. However, there are treatments that can help treat gum recession, allowing patients to protect their teeth and regain their smile.
But what causes gum recession, and how can you tell if you’re experiencing it? What exactly do periodontists do to treat gum recession? We answer all of these questions and more with our guide to gum recession:
What causes gum recession?
Gum recession is highly connected to improper tooth brushing, bad habits, and genetics. However, there are certain practices and habits that can lead to premature gum recession and other gum diseases.
Be aware that the following that can lead to gum recession, even in younger patients:
- Poor dental hygiene
- Tobacco and similar smoking products
- Grinding and clenching teeth
- Crooked teeth or misaligned bites that don’t get treated
- Overly aggressive brushing
- Genetic predisposition for gum disease and thin gum tissue
- Lip or tongue piercings
What are the symptoms of gum recession?
Most patients are able to tell that moderate to severe gum recession is present by looking in the mirror and seeing where gums have pulled away from teeth. However, you can often catch early gum recession and gum disease by paying attention to the following symptoms:
- Pain or discomfort when touching your gum line
- Discoloration in gum line, especially near teeth
- Sensitivity when brushing or flossing teeth
- Sensitivity when eating hot or cold foods
- Wiggily or extremely loose teeth
- Bleeding in mouth when trying to eat food and cleaning your teeth
How do you treat gum recession?
Depending on the severity of the gum recession, there are multiple treatment options that your periodontist will consider to treat and reverse gum recession. They include:
- Orthodontic treatment. For some patients, gum recession is caused by a tooth being out of a place. You may need to get your tooth corrected by an orthodontist before a periodontist can resolve your gum recession.
- Bone and Tissue regeneration. If gum recession has damaged the bone or tissue supporting your teeth, your periodontist may need to encourage tissue regeneration. After cleaning out your gums for harmful bacteria, your periodontist will fold back the gums in order to insert a membrane or protein that stimulates tissue regeneration. After insertion, gums are moved back into their proper place, and your body will regrow the tissue it lost.
- Gum grafting .Your periodontist has several gums grafting options to correct the recession. Donor tissue or your own tissue can be utilized to develop root coverage and make the tissue more resistant to future recession issues.These minor surgical procedures are minimally invasive and patients tolerate the procedure very well.
Contact Dr. Marc E. Gordon about gum recession treatment
Looking for gum recession treatment near Eatontown or Howell, New Jersey? Then you should reach out to the periodontist Dr. Marc Gordon and his experienced dental team. Rated as the top periodontist in New Jersey for the last 14 years by NJ Monthly magazine, you know you’ll be getting expert treatment for gum recession and other gum diseases at our dental offices.
Contact us today if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment, and we look forward to seeing you when you visit the periodontic and implant dentistry offices of Dr. M. Gordon.