Reversing Gum Recession: Why Your Gums Recede and What You Can do About it
What is gum recession and what causes it?
Should you notice that your teeth look longer than they once did or you experience increased sensitivity, look at the tissue at the base of your gums. When the gum tissue that covers the root of the teeth starts to recede, or pull back, it's called gum recession. If ignored, gum recession can cause not only extensive damage to the bones in your jaw, but can result in tooth loss as well.
Why is gum recession a problem? Receding gums are not solely a cosmetic problem, although it does affect your teeth's appearance. The roots of your teeth are not meant to be exposed to open air. Since there is no tough enamel coating on these …show more content…
First, your dentist will advise you to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and how to gently brush your teeth, as this is the easiest step in keeping your gum recession from becoming worse. Early treatments include scaling and root planing. Scaling, also known as deep cleaning, involves removing any bacteria stuck in between your gums. Root planing simply smooths down the surface of your gums, so that bacteria are less likely to invade these areas.
Gum recession can be treated in its later stages, but the treatment/process is usually much more involved. One traditional gum recession treatment is called a gum graft, where your dentist takes tissue from the roof of your mouth and uses it to replace your missing gums. However, this creates an additional surgical site that can cause increased pain. A newer form of this treatment involves using donor tissue to restore your gum line. This procedure is much more comfortable for patients. Regardless of where your graft comes from, the goal is to suture the soft tissue into place, ultimately joining it with your existing gums as it healed. Recovering from a gum graft is similar to recovering from a wisdom teeth extraction. You will be on a diet of soft, cool foods, must refrain from physical activity and will be prescribed antibiotics and pain medication. The amount of pain experienced depends on the type of graft you have
What is gum recession and what causes it?
Should you notice that your teeth look longer than they once did or you experience increased sensitivity, look at the tissue at the base of your gums. When the gum tissue that covers the root of the teeth starts to recede, or pull back, it's called gum recession. If ignored, gum recession can cause not only extensive damage to the bones in your jaw, but can result in tooth loss as well.
Why is gum recession a problem? Receding gums are not solely a cosmetic problem, although it does affect your teeth's appearance. The roots of your teeth are not meant to be exposed to open air. Since there is no tough enamel coating on these …show more content…
First, your dentist will advise you to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and how to gently brush your teeth, as this is the easiest step in keeping your gum recession from becoming worse. Early treatments include scaling and root planing. Scaling, also known as deep cleaning, involves removing any bacteria stuck in between your gums. Root planing simply smooths down the surface of your gums, so that bacteria are less likely to invade these areas.
Gum recession can be treated in its later stages, but the treatment/process is usually much more involved. One traditional gum recession treatment is called a gum graft, where your dentist takes tissue from the roof of your mouth and uses it to replace your missing gums. However, this creates an additional surgical site that can cause increased pain. A newer form of this treatment involves using donor tissue to restore your gum line. This procedure is much more comfortable for patients. Regardless of where your graft comes from, the goal is to suture the soft tissue into place, ultimately joining it with your existing gums as it healed. Recovering from a gum graft is similar to recovering from a wisdom teeth extraction. You will be on a diet of soft, cool foods, must refrain from physical activity and will be prescribed antibiotics and pain medication. The amount of pain experienced depends on the type of graft you have