Is your smile "toothier" than normal? Have you noticed any differences in the gum line on your teeth? If so, you might need receding gums treatment.
Receding gums occur for many reasons, one of which is poor dental hygiene. The gum tissue pulls away from the tooth, thus creating gaps between the tooth and gum line for bacteria to thrive. This leads to tooth loss.
The first sign to look out for is tooth sensitivity. The recession of the gum line is slow, so if you don't visit the dentist on a regular basis, you won't know until it's too late. If you think your gums are receding, schedule an appointment with Brookmere Dental Group for gum disease treatment.
Need more guidance? Keep reading for information you need to know.
1. Causes
There are many reasons why your gum line is receding. Aside from poor oral hygiene, genetics, lifestyle, and age are factors. Some lifestyle factors are:
- Aggressive toothbrushing
- Smoking
- Chewing tobacco
- Unhealthy diet
- Lip or Tongue piercing
- Grinding teeth
If you notice your gums are swollen, red, or bleeding with ease, go see a dentist. These are signs you might have gum disease.
2. Medication
The first course of receding gum line treatment is antibiotics. Antibiotics are the best to prescribe when the infection is a mild case. Other medications are antimicrobial mouthwash, enzyme suppressants, antiseptic chips, and topical antibiotic gel.
3. Receding Gums Treatment Surgery
There are three types of surgeries to treat your receding gum line: regeneration, scaling and grafting. Surgical procedures are performed when the disease has worsened.
Regeneration
This procedure is to regenerate bone destroyed from the recession of the gum line. Your dentist folds the gum tissue back to expose and remove bacteria. Afterward, they place a membrane, a graft tissue, or a tissue-stimulating protein as the regenerative material.
This encourages the body to regenerate the bone and tissue. The gum tissue is placed back over the tooth to protect its roots and protect the regenerative material.
Scaling
This procedure is like the regeneration technique. This is a deep cleaning treatment where the dentist cleans plaque and tartar away from the surface of the tooth as well as the root.
In scaling or root planning, the dentist folds back the inflamed gum tissue to remove the harmful bacteria from the gaps. After, the dentist secures the gum tissue over the tooth to reduce the size of the gaps caused by the gum line receding.
Grafting
The purpose of this procedure is to revive the gum tissues or the bones of the tooth. The dentist places a synthetic particle or piece of bone or tissue to help the gums grow back. This procedure isn't long-term unless you exercise proper oral hygiene.
Based on the severity of your case, the dentist will decide the type of grafting necessary. A connective tissue graft is when a piece of skin is cut at the roof of your mouth and sewn to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed root.
A free gingival graft is when tissue is taken from the roof of your mouth instead of under the skin. If you have enough gum tissue around the affected tooth, your dentist may graft from there instead of your palate. This is referred to as a pedicle graft.
4. Prevention
Gum disease treatment doesn't reverse the process of gum recession but it does slow down the process. After getting treatment for your gums, exercise good oral hygiene to prevent the disease from spreading further. What's the point of getting treatment if you don't change your habits?
Set up appointments with your dentist at least twice a year while keeping an eye on your teeth and gum line. Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush and floss every day. Follow the instructions your dentist tells you for the best results.
Pink and Healthy
Receding gum lines are preventable when you get gum disease treatment and exercise good oral hygiene. Your gums are going to be pink when you schedule an appointment with us at Brookmere Dental Group.
Whether you're a new patient or established, we got you for your dental needs.
