Receding Gums Treatment
Gum recession is a condition that most often results from periodontal disease. With gum recession, teeth begin to appear longer than they once did and are often incredibly sensitive due to root exposure. Symptoms of periodontal disease include: red and swollen gum tissue, bleeding with oral hygiene, and bad breath that does not go away after brushing and flossing.
Periodontal disease is pretty common, especially in patients over the age of 40, but with regular visits to your dentist, it can be caught early and treated accordingly. Some other causes of gum recession may include: dry mouth, other medical conditions, age and genetics, tobacco use, bruxism, and even crooked teeth. Brushing too aggressively can also cause gum recession.
Receding Gums Treatment
Though gum recession cannot be reversed, it can be treated. Depending on the severity of your recession, your dentist may be able to provide treatment or may need to send you to a periodontist for specialized treatment. If your dentist believes they can help you, they will schedule you for a deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing. This treatment is completed over the course of 2-3 appointments because it requires the area being treated to be numbed, and most providers will only do one side of the mouth at a time. Then, a follow-up appointment is usually scheduled a few weeks later to make sure everything is clean and healing properly.
If you have a more severe recession, a periodontist will take over treatment and may advise gum surgery. Flap surgery is a procedure in which the gum tissue at the affected area is cut and pulled down, allowing access to the root surfaces so they can be thoroughly cleaned. The tissue flap is then secured back in place and left to heal.
Another treatment option is a gum graft. In this case, a piece of tissue is either taken from the patient’s mouth or a piece of donor tissue is used. The new tissue is secured in place over the affected area and is left to heal.
Preventing Gum Recession
Proper oral care is the easiest way to avoid periodontal issues. Prevention is easier and cheaper than treatment, so make sure you visit your dentist at least twice per year for professional dental cleanings and check-ups! If an issue does develop, catching it early leads to easier, less invasive treatment options.
During your cleaning, your hygienist will take measurements of the pockets between the tooth and gum, looking for a measurement range of 0-3 millimeters. Anything higher could indicate a recession or infection. Your hygienist may suggest placement of an antibiotic chip in deeper pockets to help heal the area.
It is important to seek treatment if you notice any symptoms of periodontal disease or gum recession. Dental issues do not resolve on their own and will only become progressively worse. Oral health is deeply related to overall health and can impact underlying issues. Your dentist can help you stay healthy and provide treatment when necessary.