Can You Fix Receding Gums?
Gum recession is a condition that occurs when the gum tissue surrounding your teeth wears away or pulls back. Symptoms of gum recession you might notice include teeth that look longer, exposed roots, and loose teeth. Mild gum recession can often be treated through regular dental checkups and professional cleaning, but advanced or severe gum recession requires more intensive procedures or even gum surgery.
Among adults, gum recession is a widespread dental issue that progresses gradually and naturally as we age. When your gums recede, pockets can form between your teeth and gums, allowing harmful bacteria to accumulate. Left untreated, the bacteria that thrive due to gum recession can damage your teeth, surrounding tissue, and your jawbone, sometimes resulting in tooth loss.
How Do Normal Gums Differ from Gum Recession?
Normal gums are typically pink in color, fit closely around your teeth, cover the roots of your teeth, and are relatively even from one side of your jaw to the other.
Gum recession is indicated by gums that are inflamed, appear to be pulling away from your teeth, are uneven from one side of your mouth to the other, and have receded to the point that the tooth roots are visible.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Every day as you eat and drink, bacteria from plaque naturally accumulate on your teeth and along your gumline. Without proper oral hygiene, your gums begin to recede from your teeth over time. In advanced cases, pockets can form between your teeth and gums, which allows even more harmful bacteria and plaque to form in your mouth and leads to gum disease.
Gum disease can develop into an infection that can severely damage your gum tissue and the bone that holds your teeth in place. The first stages of gum disease are often not painful, so most people do not notice changes in their mouth. Early symptoms include sensitive, irritated, and bleeding gums after brushing or flossing. If gum disease becomes advanced, symptoms include pain while chewing, loose teeth, or teeth that have moved in your mouth.
Gum recession can be caused by the following factors:
- Over-aggressive brushing can cause damage to the enamel that naturally protects your teeth and expose the tooth roots.
- Smokers and tobacco users are more likely to develop gum disease. Smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, leading to gums that do not heal properly and eventually gum recession.
- Hormonal changes for women during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can make gums increasingly vulnerable to gum recession. High levels of estrogen and progesterone make women more sensitive to plaque.
- Grinding or clenching, especially while you sleep, results in excessive force on your teeth, which can lead to gum recession.
- Crooked teeth or a misaligned bite cause pressure in your mouth when you eat and can damage your gums and jawbone.
- Genetics causes some people to be more susceptible to gum disease. Studies show that almost a third of all people may be predisposed to gum disease, even if they take good care of their teeth.
What Are Gum Recession Treatments?
Your dentist or periodontist, a gum specialist, can determine the best treatment for you based on your individual circumstances:
- Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure where your dentist uses special instruments to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and roots.
- Flap surgery is a deep tissue cleaning where your dentist or periodontist makes an incision, lifts your gums away from your teeth, cleans bacteria and tartar buildup, and then stitches your gums back into place.
- Grafting is a procedure intended to rejuvenate your gum tissue or jawbone. Your periodontist surgically places either a synthetic particle or a piece of bone or tissue to provide a foundation for your gums.
Ultimately, the best way to prevent gum recession is having a good oral hygiene routine at home that includes brushing at least twice a day, flossing once a day, and using antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash. If you smoke, make every effort to quit, or seek help if you are unable to quit on your own. Lastly, but just as important, see your dentist at least twice a year for checkups and professional cleaning.
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