4 Important Points about Receding Gums – Causes and Treatments
Over the course of time, you may find that you experience receding gums.
Receding gums is a process where your gums begin to pull away from your tooth’s surface. When this happens, more of your teeth show, eventually exposing the roots of your teeth.
The aforementioned is one expression of gum (periodontal) disease.
Gum recession can form gaps between your teeth and gum line. When this happens, bacteria begins to build up in hard-to-reach places. If left untreated, the structure of your teeth and jaw can become extremely damaged, ultimately resulting in tooth loss.
As individuals get older, receding gums is one of the most common dental problems. Many don’t even know that they are suffering from gum recession ebcause the process occurs slowly over the course of time.
Gum recession is simply not something that one should ignore. If you believe that you have receding gums, it is important that you make an appointment with your dentist right away.
What causes gums to recede?
Many adults have some form of periodontal disease; amongst these are: receding gums.
Periodontal disease is the advanced form of gingivitis.
All periodontal disease starts off as a buildup of plaque and bacteria on the teeth and gums. As time progresses, the plaque will cause damage.
In the most advanced cases, pockets will start to form between the teeth and gums, which creates even more places for bacteria and plaque to grow.
Amongst the causes of receding gums includes:
• Hormonal changes in women
• Family history of gum disease
• Diabetes
• HIV
• Brushing too hard over a long period of time
• Plaque buildup that becomes hardened into tartar
• Bad habits, such as smoking or drinking soda daily
It is important to note that certain medications can also cause what’s known as “dry mouth.” Dry mouth can increase the likelihood of receding gums.
When you have dry mouth, there is not enough saliva to wash away bacteria and food. When this is the case, your teeth and gums are more vulnerable to getting infections.
Common symptoms of receding gums:
• Inflamed gums
• Bad breath
• Painful gums
• Excessive bleeding after brushing or flossing
• Gums that are visibly shrinking
• Exposed tooth roots
• Loose teeth
Treating Gum Recession
If you find that you suffer from a mild form of gum recession, it is imperative that you get it looked at before matters become more serious. Your dentist will be able to treat your gums with a deep cleaning. They will clean the areas that are affected.
During the process of deep cleaning, your dentist will remove the plaque and tartar that formed on your teeth, especially below the gum line and any exposed root surfaces are smoothed to make it difficult for bacteria to get stuck in the grooves.
Additionally, your dentist may recommend taking antibiotics in order to fully get rid of any harmful bacteria that might remain in your system.
Preventing Gum Disease
The best way to prevent a receding gum line is to practice a good oral hygiene routine daily. This includes both brushing and flossing your teeth every day, while ensuring that you see your dentist at least twice per year, or as often as they recommend.
For more information about gum recession and to assess your current needs, give us a call today.
