Receding gums are a condition in which your gums pull back from the tooth surface, exposing the root surfaces of your teeth. It’s just one form of gum (periodontal) disease. This is a serious consequence of poor oral health, which may lead to persistent bleeding gums and tooth loss.
Poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease contribute to this gum or gingival recession. Physical wear of the gums by vigorous tooth brushing or the use of hard bristles is a further, common cause of receding gums.
Dr. Swastik Satpathy, BDS, 10 yrs exp.
Dentist – Specializes in Gum Treatment & Surgery
Innovative Smile Dental Clinic
CONSULT FOR RECEDING GUMS
What is Receding Gums?
Receding gums is the process in which the margin of the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth wears away, or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth, or the tooth’s root.
When gum recession occurs, “pockets,” or gaps, form between the teeth and gum line, which cause bleeding while brushing .
The bacteria damage the supporting tissue and bone structures of the teeth, ultimately result in tooth loss.
Why are my gums receding?
- Poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease contribute to a gingival recession
- Physical wear of the gums by vigorous tooth brushing or over-brushing
- Teeth grinding.
- Crooked or misaligned bite.
- poor-fitting partial dentures
- sports injury
Symptoms of Receding Gums
- Exposed tooth roots
- Tooth sensitivity
- Pain at the gum line
- Bleeding gums after brushing and flossing
- Gum inflammation
- Red and swollen gums
- Bad breath
Will my teeth fall out from receding gums?
When there is not enough gum tissue to hold tooth roots in place, the teeth are vulnerable to falling out. In some instances, multiple loose teeth are removed by the dentist before they fall out.
Treatment
Deep cleaning such as tooth scaling and root planing can treat mild gum recession.
First of all plaque and tartar are removed from the teeth and root surface below the gum line. Then the exposed tooth root is smoothed.
Serious receding gums with excess loss of bone needs surgery known as gum tissue graft.
There is a variety of gum grafts available. So you can discuss with your dentist regarding procedure and cost suitable for your gum condition.
Connective Tissue Graft
The procedure opens a small flap in the roof of your mouth. Removes a piece of connective tissue from under the top layer of tissue. Finally stitch the tissue to the area that needs gum tissue. This is the most common type of graft.
Free Gingival Graft
This procedure is good for people with thin gums who require tissue to enlarge the gums.
Pedicle Graft
This procedure is good for people who have lots of gum tissue near exposed tooth. It creates a flap of tissue from an area right next to gum recession. Uses the flap to cover the area of receding gum tissue. It is most successful because it doesn’t cut off blood flow in any part of mouth.
Treatment Cost
The cost of receding gums depends whether you gums needs deep cleaning or tissue graft surgery. Gum cleaning cost is less as compared to gum surgery. So dentists always recommend periodontal disease treatment as soon as you find any symptoms.
Do gums recede with age?
Gums do naturally recede with age, which is why many people think that there’s really no way to stop receding gums from occurring.
Truth is gums may recede for a number of reasons, including overaggressive brushing, inadequate brushing and flossing, tooth grinding (bruxism) and gum disease.
Why gums growing in between my teeth?
Gingival hyperplasia can occur as a direct result of inflammation. The inflammation is often caused by plaque buildup on the teeth from food, bacteria, and poor hygiene practices. The inflammation can make the gums tender and red, and it can trigger bleeding.
How to prevent Receding gums?
- Taking good care of your mouth is the best way to prevent gum recession.
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year for dental check up.
- Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush and floss daily.
- Use mouth guards while playing sports because this will prevent your mouth from injury.
- Quit smoking if you smoke.
- Eat a well balanced and healthy diet.
- Monitor changes that may occur in your mouth.
