Receding Gums: Causes and Treatments

This increased exposure increases the likelihood of decay and tooth loss. Teeth may become increasingly sensitive and pose difficulty in consuming hot and cold foods. 

 

Today’s oral health technology allows this condition to be treated and prevented effectively. As with most oral health issues, the best way to prevent gingival recession to maintain healthy teeth and gums with regular brushing twice a day as well as flossing and regular dentist appointments. 

 

However, at times prevention is not enough and other factors may result in receding gums such as hereditary and situational circumstances. Grinding your teeth can cause teeth to become loose and unstable which allows tartar and plaque to build up more easily and can lead to receding gums as can vigorous brushing at the gum line. 

 

The first step to any treatment is to determine the offending factors and contributors and attempt to address them. Once these have been tended to, the following treatment options are considered: 

 

• Deep Cleaning: depending on the stage of recession your dentist may propose cleaning using special tools to remove plaque and tartar build up at the roots. In some cases this is enough to tackle the damage as the bacteria will be removed and further recession will stop and gums will naturally work towards reshaping. 

• Gum Grafting: this is a surgical procedure in which existing gum is taken from the roof of the mouth or a gum like material is used to replace the missing tissue. 

• Regeneration: in cases where gum recession has gone too far, the bones may have become damaged. If this is the case then a periodontist will conduct a surgical procedure in which they will insert a regenerative material in the area of bone loss that will aid the regrowth of bone and tissue. Once this is done, the gum tissue will be secured in the area where one or more teeth were involved. 

 

Sometimes noticing gum recession is difficult as it is usually a slow process that is often overlooked until sensitivity begins. However, if you do have receding gums, your teeth will appear longer and seem gappy, if you think you may be affected, it is always best to contact your dentist and have it checked out. 

 

Call us now on 01772 651130 or email us at info@grimsarghmsileclinic.com to speak to one of our friendly advisors