Treatment of gum recession

Besides affecting the teeth, gum recession adversely affects your oral health and smile. When your gums recede, the roots of your teeth become exposed. They become sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet drinks and food. With time, the gum recession, if not treated leads to redness and inflammation. The tooth crowns and roots become susceptible to decay and eats away the bone calcium. Over time, the tooth loses it support and eventually falls out.

What is gingival gum recession?

Gingival gum recession precedes periodontal disease and occurs when the gingival tissue becomes weak and pulls away from the teeth. The roots of the teeth are exposed resulting in increased hypersensitivity and pain. Gum recession occurs over time, so most people do not even realize it’s happening to them until the key symptoms of serious pain and sensitivity step in to cause tooth and bone loss.

What causes receding gums?

Let’s look at the reasons to why gums recede below-

Genetics

Genes often lead to gum problems. Some people are more prone to suffer from receding gums due to genetics and family history.

Poor teeth alignment

Gum recession is often caused by misaligned and crooked teeth. When one or more teeth put pressure on the gums and bones, recession starts to occur over time.

Smoking and chewing tobacco

Tobacco products damage your oral and dental health as they limit the flow of blood to your gum tissue. This will lead to inflammation and pain in the gum tissue.

Grinding teeth and squeezing the jaw

Regular grinding and clenching of teeth, common called bruxism places pressure on the gums making them recede exposing the roots.

What are the symptoms of gum recession?

When gum recession progresses to an advanced stage, you may notice symptoms such as:

• Slight pain and bleeding at the gum line- This often occurs when you brush aggressively with your toothbrush resulting in slight pain and bleeding.
• Exposure of the tooth root (visible in more advanced recession)- Gum recession can lead to exposure of the root surfaces of the root making the tooth become more sensitive to hot and cold food.
• Teeth appearing longer due to erosion of the gums- Gum recession makes your teeth look longer due to mucosa damage.
• Tooth sensitivity- When consuming hot, cold, or sugary food, beverages, or drinks, you will feel discomfort on your teeth.

Can gum recession be reversed?

During the initial stages of diagnosis and treatment, good oral hygiene habits will prevent gum recession from worsening further. However, tissue regeneration isn’t possible if lost. Regular dental cleanings and good oral health are required for restoring your gum’s health.

What does the gum treatment procedure look like?

Gum disease and recession treatment depends upon its severity. Mild cases can be managed with improved oral hygiene, deep cleaning (planing) and scaling. The treatment option for serious conditions may include a connective tissue graft or an invasive surgical treatment like mucogingival surgery.

The gum transplantation procedure

The gum transplantation procedure is a widely used treatment for receding gums. Here, your dentist will take healthy soft tissue from your gum and attach it to the receded area. The attached gingiva will be placed on the contour of your mouth and cover the exposed root and enhance your smile aesthetics.

The dentist will use collagen matrices that act as a stimulus to promote healing. Over time, a scar tissue forms and gradually the gums start to heal. The average duration for the membrane to fully heal is 1 to 2 weeks. However, the time may vary as per the patient’s responsiveness to treatment.

When the procedure is over, you will be advised to eat soft and cool food. You must follow the advice and instructions of your dentist to protect the gums and teeth from recession in the future. In case, you have tooth sensitivity, pain, or exposed tooth roots, it is prudent to book an appointment with your dentist for a detailed check-up.

Where does the gum graft tissue come from?

The gum graft tissue is taken from the palate or the sub-epithelial part of the mouth. There are cases where a donor may step in to give healthy tissue commonly referred to as acellular dermal matrix for the procedure. Depending upon your condition, your dentist will select the optimal procedure for your needs.

Tips to Prevent Gum Recession

Most people do not realize when gums start to recede as it develops slowly without any obvious signs. However, with neglect and poor oral hygiene, it can aggravate into something serious. The most common problems people with gum recession face are tooth sensitivity, tooth sensitivity, and in most cases, tooth loss.

The good news is with proper oral care and hygiene; gum recession can be arrested. Though you cannot reverse the recession and get your lost gums back, here are some simple yet powerful tips to protect them below-

Brush your teeth regularly

Brush your teeth at least twice daily with a soft toothbrush or electric toothbrush. Flossing is also important for cleaning your teeth and gums properly. Hard bristles can damage and hurt the gums so avoid using them.

Use dental floss

Dental floss is essential to prevent plaque and tartar buildup between your teeth and underneath the gumline. Your toothbrush cannot reach these places, so flossing is essential for treating recession.

Have regular dental check-ups

Ensure you visit your dentist for regular check-ups every six months. Professional dental cleaning and the early identification of infections will keep gum disease at bay.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle is the key to good oral health. Stay away from tobacco and smoking to prevent gum problems and destruction of skin collagen. Ensure you exercise daily and sleep well to rest your body well.

Watch your diet

Switch to a balanced diet rich in minerals and vitamins. Avoid sugary and acidic food that damage your teeth and cause gums to recede.

Manage stress

Stress often leads to jaw clenching and teeth grinding harming your gums in the process. Relaxation techniques like yoga and deep breathing can help you alleviate tension and feel relaxed.