What You May Not Know About Receding Gums

What are Receding Gums? 

Receding gums, also known as gum recession and gingival recession, is a condition in which the area of gums that support the teeth diminishes, allowing a more significant portion of the teeth to show as well as the roots.

When gum recession occurs, it can cause large spaces to develop between the gum line and around the teeth, which can make your gums more vulnerable to the accumulation of harmful bacteria.

Because receding gums occur slowly over time, many people are not even aware that they have them. However, there are early signs of gum recession, which include teeth that appear more extended than usual, or you may experience increased teeth sensitivity due to the delicate roots of the teeth being exposed. You may even feel a noticeable groove near the gum line.

There are various reasons why people experience gum recession, including the most common cause, which is gum disease. Gum disease as well as other bacterial gum infections progressively eat away at the gum tissue and then eventually the bone that supports the teeth, which leaves the roots of the teeth uncovered.

Your genes may also play a role in developing receding gums due to a family history of gum disease, which makes you naturally predisposed to the disease, no matter how good your oral health, which can cause your gums to recede.

Smoking can also cause receding gums because it creates a gooey plaque on the teeth,
which is difficult to remove. Therefore, it can eventually lead to a bacterial gum infection and gum recession.

Excess pressure on the teeth, which can occur as a result of misaligned teeth or grinding the teeth, can also cause the gums to recede due to the heavy weight on the teeth.

Why is Identifying and Treating Gum Recession Important? 

If gum recession is left ignored, it can allow harmful bacteria to accumulate around the gum line, which can destroy the supporting structures that hold the teeth in place and eventually lead to tooth loss. Therefore, if you suspect you have receding gums, it is important to seek treatment to prevent losing your teeth.

Less severe gum recession can be successfully addressed by deep cleaning the infected area.

During the deep cleaning, the dentist will use tooth scaling and root planing to remove tartar and plaque accumulation on the teeth as well as the exterior of the roots. The root area will also be smoothed to remove any rough spots present on the surface of the root to help prevent bacteria from adhering to it. The dentist may also prescribe an antibiotic to help remove any remaining bacteria.

In more severe cases of gum recession, surgery may be required to reverse the effects caused by the condition.

Some Surprising Facts About Receding Gums 

• Brushing your teeth too hard - can cause receding gums because it slowly diminishes the enamel as well as the gum tissue, which can cause your gums to recede. Likewise, brushing your teeth using the wrong techniques can also wear away the enamel. 

• More than 70% of the population has some degree of gum disease - and more than half of them don't even know it until it reaches a more severe stage, such as receding gums, which can lead to tooth loss. 

• Children are also susceptible to developing receding gums as a result of gum disease - if their oral health isn't kept up to par.

• It is possible to rejuvenate tissue and bone loss caused by gum disease - using an FDA approved laser treatment, which requires no cutting or stitching, and has also been proven to regrow damaged tissue and bone. 

Identifying and treating gum recession, early, can help prevent it from becoming a more serious dental issue, which can be done by scheduling regular dental check-ups. It is also good to understand the various causes of receding gums, which can help you take the proper precautions towards preventing it. If your family has a history of gum disease, which can also eventually lead to receding gums, it important to let your dentist know so that he or she can develop a personalized prevention treatment plan that can help save your gums as well as your teeth.

Good oral health is important, not just for preventing gum recession, but because many serious dental issues have also been linked to more serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, and more.

About the Author

Dr. Marichia Attalla is a leading Periodontist in Nassau County NY. Learn more by visiting her website at NassauCountyPeriodontist.com