Leading Causes Why You Could Develop Receding Gums and How To Prevent It
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR GUMS
Even though your teeth are an essential part of how healthy your smile is, your gums are also important. This amazing tissue supporting your teeth is the substructure of your smile and serves the necessary functions of keeping your teeth in position and guarding their sensitive roots. This is why gum recession is more than just an aesthetic problem. It is a serious oral health condition. If you want to keep your gums healthy, you need to learn the top precursors to gum recession. From there, you can alter your lifestyle and oral health practices to protect yourself from receding gums. In addition, if you currently suffer from receding gums, you have many options for procedures that can aid in the restoration of your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Waxahachie, our experienced team of dental professionals offers preventive care as well as a full range of treatments for receding gums, which are chosen based on the reason behind your gum erosion. Continue reading to understand more about gum recession, the causes, and common treatment methods. Local men and women who want to maintain their gum health and would like to keep their smiles looking great are invited to schedule an oral health assessment with their dentist in Waxahachie, TX.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RECEDING GUMS
Gum erosion happens when the soft gum tissue begins to withdraw from the teeth. More and more of the tooth is exposed until, gradually, the roots are also bare. Gum recession typically does not develop abruptly. Often, you'll start to have symptoms like inflamed and painful gums that bleed for no reason. Discharge at your gumline and consistent bad breath (halitosis) are also signs that often develop before receding gums. In the event that you notice any of them, you need to set up a visit with your dentist in Waxahachie, TX as soon as possible. If gum recession is ignored, your teeth are likely to begin to loosen and fall out because the gums aren't healthy enough to keep them in place.
COMMON CAUSES OF RECEDING GUMS
Sadly, receding gums are a common dental problem, particularly for individuals past the age of 40. There are a lot of different causes of gum recession, which should assist your dental practitioner in establishing how to manage yours. Several of the most frequently seen causes of gum recession are:
- POOR DENTAL HYGIENE
Choosing not to brush and floss after eating leaves food particles and plaque to accumulate between your teeth, which can promote periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease is a top reason that men and women begin to develop receding gums. Flossing is particularly crucial to cleaning this accumulation from your gums and promoting blood circulation. - MISALIGNED BITES OR IRREGULARLY POSITIONED TEETH
As with bruxism, crooked teeth and malocclusion (bite misalignment) can put extra weight on your jaws, teeth, and gums. Arrange an appointment with your dentist in Waxahachie, TX to discuss options like Invisalign to gently adjust your teeth into the best position. - CIGARETTES, CIGARS, AND VAPING
The poisonous toxins in any tobacco products can hurt your gums. In addition, while they don't have tobacco, the gooey components in vape pens and electronic cigarettes can also be dangerous. Get help with quitting tobacco with your doctor and then make an appointment with your dental practitioner to go over ways to bring back your oral health. - CLENCHING OR GRINDING TEETH
A large number of people grind their teeth and clench their jaws if they are worried at work or as they sleep (nocturnal bruxism). The intensity of grinding and clenching wears down your teeth and oral soft tissue. - HORMONAL CHANGES
The shifting hormones that women experience during adolescence, while pregnant, and all the way through menopause can lead to worsening gum inflammation and increased soreness. It is especially important to avoid gingivitis during pregnancy because it may affect the health of the expecting mom and the baby. - BRUSHING TOO AGGRESSIVELY
While it may strike you as counterintuitive, scrubbing your teeth too often can also be a cause of gum recession. Brushing too often or too aggressively gradually wears down the soft tissue. All dentists recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth and massage your gums. - GENETICS
Your DNA may make you vulnerable to gum recession, which will make it more necessary to pay attention to your oral health. Ask whether any family members have dealt with periodontitis and then inform your dentist. - PERIODONTAL DISEASE
The leading reason behind receding gums is periodontitis, the worst phase of gum disease. This infection in your gum tissue might cause gum recession if not correctly treated.
METHODS OF MANAGING RECEDING GUMS
To choose the best treatment for your gum recession, your dental practitioner will have to identify the cause. Receding gums caused by gum disease will be treated based on how serious your condition is. For patients who present with the early stage of gum disease, commonly known as gingivitis, dentists often recommend multiple scaling and root planing (SRP) sessions. A nonsurgical deep-cleaning method, SRP therapy eliminates the accumulated plaque from your gum pockets and smoothes the enamel to help avoid future buildup. If SRP therapy is not sufficient to restore your gum health, or if you are experiencing the second stage of gum disease referred to as periodontitis, your dentist can possibly perform gum surgery, or they could refer you to an oral surgeon. During gum surgery, tiny, precise cuts will be made in your gums to enter farther into your gum pockets and remove the plaque on your tooth roots. Both SRP therapy and gum surgery are typically accompanied by a round of prescription antibiotics to kill any persistent bacteria. After SRP treatment and gum surgery, your dental practitioner will allow some time for your gums to heal and regenerate on their own. In cases where your gumline remains too recessed, gingival graft surgery may be performed. Gingival grafts frequently use tissue from other areas of your mouth, for example, the roof of your mouth, to supplement the tissue where needed along your gumline. Man-made and donor grafts may also be used for those who don't have enough tissue to create a proper gumline. After you have recovered from gingival grafting, it is vital that you follow a good home oral hygiene routine and have regular appointments with your dental practitioner in Waxahachie, TX for annual dental checkups and biannual professional cleanings.
BRING BACK YOUR GUMS
Your gums are the foundation of your general dental well-being, so it's necessary to maintain your gums in order to enjoy an attractive, vibrant smile. Set up a tooth and gum analysis with a dentist if you have questions about periodontal disease or receding gums. At MINT dentistry in Waxahachie, our skilled staff of dental professionals provides diagnoses and many treatment options for receding gums, including SRP therapy, gum surgery, and gingival grafting. Call or come by our facility in Waxahachie, TX to set up exams for your family.