Leading Causes Why People Could Develop Receding Gums and How To Manage It
ALL ABOUT YOUR GUMS
Even though your teeth are fundamental to how gorgeous your smile is, your gums are equally as important. This remarkable tissue supporting your teeth is the substructure of your smile and serves the necessary functions of holding your teeth in position and guarding their vulnerable roots. Therefore, a receding gumline is more pressing than a cosmetic problem. It is a significant oral health condition. To keep your gums in good health, you have to learn the leading contributing factors of gum recession. Then, you can adjust your lifestyle and oral health regimen to prevent receding gums. Also, if you currently have receding gums, there are a lot of options for procedures that can assist in the restoration of your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Westheimer, our experienced team of dental professionals provides both preventive care as well as many treatments for receding gums, which will be chosen according to the reason behind your gum erosion. Read on to learn more about receding gums, the causes, and effective treatment methods. Local individuals who are concerned about their gum health and would like to keep their teeth and gums looking attractive should plan an oral health evaluation with a dental practitioner in Houston, TX.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RECEDING GUMS
A receding gumline happens when the delicate gum tissue begins to withdraw from the teeth. More and more of the tooth is exposed until, gradually, the sensitive tooth roots are also exposed. Gum recession typically does not happen in one day; first, you'll begin to notice symptoms such as inflamed and tender gums that bleed for no reason. Discharge at your gumline and chronic foul-smelling breath (halitosis) are also indicators that are likely to develop before gum recession. In the event that you see any of them, we urge you to set up a consultation with your dentist in Houston, TX right away. If receding gums are left untreated, your teeth could start to become loose or fall out, since the gum tissues aren't healthy enough to keep them in position.
LEADING REASONS BEHIND RECEDING GUMS
Regrettably, gum recession is not a rare dental issue, particularly for individuals over 40 years old. There are several causes of gum recession, which can aid your dentist in establishing the best way to treat yours. Several of the most common causes of gum erosion are:
- HORMONE CHANGES
The shifting hormones that women have during adolescence, pregnancy, and throughout menopause can lead to worsening gum swelling and redness and heightened soreness. It is quite important to be aware of gingivitis during pregnancy because it could negatively impact the health of both the mother and the baby. - MISALIGNED BITES AND IRREGULARLY POSITIONED TEETH
As with bruxism, irregularly positioned teeth and malocclusion (bite misalignment) can put extra weight on your jaws, teeth, and gums. Arrange an appointment with your dentist in Houston, TX to learn about options like Invisalign to gently change your bite into the correct alignment. - BRUSHING YOUR TEETH TOO AGGRESSIVELY
While it might seem odd, scrubbing your teeth too much can also lead to receding gums. Brushing too much or too harshly slowly wears down the soft tissue. You should be using a brush with soft bristles when you brush your teeth and gums. - HEREDITY
Family history can make you vulnerable to receding gums, which will make it more critical to be vigilant about your teeth and gums. Find out whether any family members have experienced periodontal disease and then tell your dental practitioner. - GUM DISEASE
The most frequent cause of gum recession is periodontitis, the latest phase of periodontal disease. This inflammation of your gum tissue could cause gum recession if not correctly treated. - GRINDING AND CLENCHING YOUR TEETH
Many people clench their teeth and jaws when they are concentrating during the day or while sleeping (nocturnal bruxism). The intensity of grinding and clenching eats away at your teeth and oral soft tissue. - CIGARETTES, CIGARS, AND VAPING
The unhealthy toxins in all tobacco products can damage your gums. Also, though they don't have tobacco, the gooey elements in vape pens and electronic cigarettes are also dangerous. Talk about quitting tobacco with your general practitioner and then visit your dentist to discuss your options to enhance your oral health. - POOR DENTAL HYGIENE
Failing to brush and floss daily causes food detritus and plaque to accumulate between your teeth, which can lead to gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is a top reason that men and women begin to experience eroding gums. Flossing is especially critical in eliminating buildup from your gumline and promoting blood circulation.
OPTIONS FOR MANAGING GUM EROSION
To decide on the best treatment for your gum recession, your dental practitioner will first need to identify the cause. Gum erosion caused by periodontal (gum) disease will be treated based on how advanced your case is. For individuals who present with the initial stage of gum disease, commonly known as gingivitis, dentists usually recommend a number of scaling and root planing (SRP) sessions. A nonsurgical procedure, SRP therapy scrapes away the buildup inside your gum pockets and evens out the enamel to help avoid future accumulation. If SRP deep cleaning is not enough to restore the health of your gums, or if you are experiencing the more advanced stage of gum disease (periodontitis), your dentist might perform gum surgery, or they may refer you to a periodontist. During gum surgery, incisions will be made in your gum tissue to penetrate farther into your gum pockets and remove the plaque on your tooth roots. Both SRP treatments and gum surgery are often accompanied by a round of antibiotics to destroy any surviving bacteria. Following SRP treatment or periodontal surgery, your dental practitioner will wait a bit for your gums to mend and regrow on their own. If your gumline remains too high, gum graft surgery may be performed. Gingival grafts frequently use tissue from different places in your mouth, such as your roof palate, to add tissue where required on your gumline. Synthetic and donor grafts may also be used for those who don't have enough tissue to build a robust gumline. After you have recovered from periodontal plastic surgery, it is important to follow a consistent home oral hygiene routine and schedule regular appointments with your dentist in Houston, TX for yearly dental checkups and twice-yearly professional cleanings.
REHABILITATE YOUR GUMLINE
Your gums are the foundation of your general dental well-being, so you need to maintain your gums in order to have a beautiful smile. Set up an oral health checkup with a dentist if you are concerned about periodontal disease or receding gums. At MINT dentistry in Westheimer, our knowledgeable staff of dental professionals offers diagnoses and multiple treatment options for gum recession, including scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery, and gingival grafting. Call or come by our practice in Houston, TX to set up exams for your whole family.