Top Reasons Why You Might Have Gum Recession and How To Prevent It
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR GUMS
Even though your teeth are a huge factor in how sexy your smile looks, your gums are just as important. This remarkable tissue supporting your teeth is the basis for your smile and serves the vital purposes of keeping your teeth in position and protecting their sensitive roots. Therefore, a receding gumline is more pressing than an aesthetic concern; it is a significant dental condition. If you want to keep your gums healthy, you have to learn the leading precursors to gum recession. Then, you can adapt your lifestyle and oral health routine to protect yourself from gum recession. However, if you already have receding gums, you have numerous options for procedures that can aid in maintaining your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Cypress, our experienced staff of dental professionals provides preventive care and multiple treatments for gum recession, each of which is chosen based on the reason behind your gum recession. Continue reading to understand more about receding gums, the causes, and frequently used treatment options. Local individuals who want to protect the health of their gums and would like to keep their teeth and gums looking gorgeous are invited to schedule an oral health assessment with a dental practitioner in Cypress, TX.
ALL ABOUT RECEDING GUMS
Gum erosion occurs when the soft gum tissue begins to slowly disappear along the teeth. More and more of the tooth is exposed until, eventually, the roots are also bare. Gum recession usually won't develop abruptly. Often, you'll start to have symptoms like red, swollen, and tender gums that bleed easily. Pus at your gumline and chronic foul-smelling breath (halitosis) are also symptoms that typically develop before receding gums. In the event that you see any of these, it's important that you schedule an appointment with your dentist in Cypress, TX as soon as possible. If receding gums are ignored, your teeth could begin to loosen and fall out, since the gums aren't healthy enough to keep them secured.
TOP REASONS BEHIND GUM RECESSION
Regrettably, receding gums are not an unusual dental problem, particularly for men and women over the age of 40. There are many causes of gum recession, which should help your dentist in choosing how to treat yours. Some of the most frequently seen causes of gum erosion are:
- INCONSISTENT DENTAL HYGIENE
Neglecting to floss and brush every day allows food debris and plaque to accumulate between your teeth, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease is a leading reason that men and women begin to develop receding gums. Flossing is particularly important in cleaning this accumulation from your gumline and helping blood circulation. - HORMONE FLUCTUATIONS
The changing hormones that females go through during adolescence, while pregnant, and all the way through menopause can lead to intensified gum swelling and redness as well as increased discomfort. It is very important to avoid gingivitis during pregnancy, since it has the potential to affect the health of the pregnant woman and the child. - BRUSHING YOUR TEETH TOO AGGRESSIVELY
Though it may strike you as counterintuitive, scrubbing your teeth too hard can also lead to gum recession. Brushing too much and too aggressively eventually eats away at the soft tissue. It's important to be using a soft-bristled toothbrush when you clean your teeth and massage your gums. - CLENCHING OR GRINDING TEETH
Numerous people clench their teeth and jaws if they are concentrating at work or as they sleep (nocturnal bruxism). The intensity of clenching and grinding eats away at your teeth and oral soft tissue. - MALOCCLUSION AND CROOKED TEETH
As with tooth grinding, irregularly positioned teeth and malocclusion (bite misalignment) can impose extra weight on your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Arrange an appointment with your dental practitioner in Cypress, TX to learn about options like Invisalign to gradually adjust your bite into the correct position. - HEREDITY
Your genes can predispose you to receding gums, which means it will be more necessary to pay attention to your teeth and gums. Ask whether your parents or siblings have had periodontal disease and then tell your dental practitioner. - USING TOBACCO
The poisonous chemicals in all tobacco products can weaken your gums. Also, while they don't have tobacco, the sticky elements in vape pens and electronic cigarettes are also dangerous. Discuss quitting tobacco with your doctor and then make an appointment with your dental practitioner to learn about ways to restore your oral health. - GUM DISEASE
The most frequent reason behind gum recession is periodontitis, the most advanced stage of gum disease. This inflammation in your gum tissue could cause gum recession if not correctly treated.
METHODS OF MANAGING GUM RECESSION
To determine the correct treatment for your gum recession, your dental practitioner will have to locate the cause. Receding gums caused by gum disease will be treated according to how serious your gum disease is. For men and women who present with the initial stage of periodontal disease, called gingivitis, dentists usually do several scaling and root planing (SRP) treatments. A nonsurgical procedure, SRP therapy scrapes away the buildup inside your gum pockets and polishes away pits in the enamel to prevent future buildup. If SRP therapy is not enough to restore your oral health, or if you have the more advanced stage of gum disease (periodontitis), your dental practitioner can possibly perform periodontal surgery, or they may refer you to an oral surgeon. During periodontal surgery, tiny, precise cuts will be created in your gum tissue to reach deeper into your gum pockets and remove buildup along your tooth roots. SRP treatments and periodontal surgery are frequently followed by a cycle of antibiotics to destroy any leftover bacteria. After SRP therapy and gum surgery, your dentist will allow some time for your gums to heal and regenerate on their own. In cases where your gumline is still too high, gum graft surgery may be done. Gum grafts generally utilize tissue from different places in your mouth, including your roof palate, to supplement the tissue where necessary on your gumline. Man-made and donor grafts can also be used for individuals who don't have sufficient tissue to build a healthy gumline. Once you have healed from periodontal plastic surgery, it is important to practice a careful home oral hygiene regimen and have regular visits with your dentist in Cypress, TX for yearly dental checkups and biannual professional cleanings.
REHABILITATE YOUR GUMLINE
Your gums are integral to your dental well-being, so it's necessary to be careful with your gums in order to enjoy a stunning, pristine smile. Schedule an oral health analysis with your dentist if you are concerned about periodontal disease or receding gums. At MINT dentistry in Cypress, our experienced team of dental professionals offers diagnoses and effective treatment options for receding gums, including scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery, and gum grafting. Call our office in Cypress, TX to set up exams for your family.