Gum Recession and
Receding Gums Treatment
The Dangers of Receding Gums
Gum recession is when the tissue around your teeth is worn down and drawn back, which results in too much tooth exposure. Because of the receding gum line, pockets of space develop between the teeth and the gums, making it the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that cause many problems if left untreated. Receding gums also expose the root of the tooth, which is softer than your enamel and susceptible to decay.
Gum recession occurs gradually over time, which means it may be hard to catch. However, there are some precautionary measures you can take to make sure your gums stay happy and healthy.
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Causes of Receding Gums
Gums recede for a number of reasons. The number one reason is periodontal disease. This occurs when gums get infected and go untreated. When bacteria are left to wreak havoc on the delicate gum tissue, they can permanently destroy the gum, and even ruin the bone around the roots of your teeth.
Poor Brushing Technique
Another common culprit behind gum recession is imperfect dental habits. Practice dental care by brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. But take care not to brush too hard—rough brushing along the gum line can also cause gum recession. To remedy this, use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and be sure to gently brush in little circles around each tooth. Taking good gentle care of your teeth will not only keep your pearly whites looking fabulous and free from cavities, but it will also protect your gums from periodontal diseases.
Teeth Grinding
Grinding teeth causes a multitude of mouth problems, so it’s not surprising that it causes receding gums too. When you grind or clench your teeth, it puts stress on the roots of the teeth and the bones holding them in place. This damages the teeth and bones and causes the gums to recede.
Susceptibility
Sometimes receding gums are just in your genes and you are more susceptible to gum disease. However, it’s still important to keep good dental hygiene habits to lessen the chances of serious infections and visit the dentist or periodontist regularly to catch and care for infections early.
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Receding Gums Treatment and Solutions
If your gums have only receded slightly, a common receding gums treatment is to deep-clean the teeth and gums, which will help stop further recession. If the gums are infected, Dr. Guzman can prescribe antibiotics to stop the disease in its tracks and hopefully keep it from worsening.
Pocket Depth Reduction
If receding gums or infections in the gums have gone untreated for a while, surgery is often necessary. Common surgery for receding gums is called pocket depth reduction. This surgery removes the diseased tissue and pulls the gum back over the tooth root. Gum grafting is an extensive gum recession treatment where a small piece of graft tissue is taken from your soft palate to replace the receded gums.
Regeneration
Another gum disease treatment is regeneration. This procedure is performed when gum disease has caused permanent damage to the bone. For this surgery, we deep clean the gums before placing regenerative material, such as graft tissue, membranes, or stimulating proteins over the destroyed bone and teeth. The aim of this surgery is to jumpstart the body into naturally remaking the materials needed to repair the teeth, gums, and bones.
Prevent Further Damage
Once the gum has been cleaned and repaired via antibiotics or surgery, you’ll need to redouble your oral hygiene efforts. Healthy mouth habits like the ones listed above will protect the gums and prevent further infection and gum recession.
At Dental Partners of Boston, we provide advanced receding gums treatment and provide top-quality care as one of the best dentists in Boston. Schedule an appointment with one of our experienced dentists as soon as possible to prevent and treat gum recession.
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