If you are noticing that your gum to tooth ratio is beginning to change, it is important to understand what causes gums to recede and what a dentist may be able to do to help.
Receding gums is a condition that often affects older individuals, but adults of all ages can suffer with the condition. A licensed dentist can examine the gums, make a diagnosis, and establish a treatment plan for patients with receding gums.
Common Signs of Receding Gums
The signs of receding gums are not always front and center. It may be possible to have the regression occur in a less visible place in the mouth or at a rate that isn’t quite as noticeable.
Because of this, it is unusual for a patient to come to a dentist’s office claiming they have receding gums. Instead, they may report a variety of seemingly unrelated symptoms, such as:
- Discomfort during daily oral hygiene activities such as brushing and flossing
- Oral sensitivity to overly sweet, hot, or cold substances
- Oral sensitivity that can synch with female changes in the body such as their period, menopause, and pregnancy
- Pain and discomfort in the gums
Since some of these symptoms are known factors of other oral health conditions, it is important for a dental professional to evaluate a patient. This can keep the root cause of these symptoms from progressing unchecked to avoid something much more serious such as tooth loss.
What May Cause Gums to Recede
There are a number of things that can cause the gums to recede, and while some may be familiar, other common causes may surprise you. Some of the most frequent causes of receding gums include:
- Avoiding the dentist. When someone does not go to the dentist regularly, it is possible for oral health issues to develop and go unaddressed. The longer these problems exist without professional treatment, it can cause conditions such as receding gums and periodontal disease.
- Poor oral hygiene. A person’s oral health can be a primary barometer of their overall health. For that reason, problems that begin with poor oral hygiene have the ability to impact gum health and can lead to a variety of oral health issues.
- Dental plaque buildup. When the bacteria that causes plaque is allowed to build up, it can cause a number of oral health issues, one of which is receding gums. The best way to combat dental plaque is to practice good oral hygiene and see a licensed dentist for a professional teeth cleaning every six months.
- Overzealous brushing of the teeth. Remember to use a proper toothbrush and use gentle but firm pressure at a 45-degree angle. If the bristles of your toothbrush are askew after just a few brushings, you may be brushing too hard.
- Gum disease. If a person has inflamed gums, it could be a sign of gingivitis which can in turn lead to periodontitis if it is not treated. When periodontitis develops, it can manifest as pockets of space between the teeth and gums, which can lead to both bone loss and receding gumlines.
- Genetic disposition. For a relatively small percent of the population affected by receding gums, it could be hereditary. The best way to stay on top of this is to know if it runs in your family and to alert your dentist to that fact.
- Piercings of the tongue or lip. Depending on where the piercing is placed on the tongue or lip, it could result in the irritation of the gumline and eventually gum regression. It is estimated that close to forty percent of people who have oral piercings will experience gum regression at some point.
How a Dentist Can Help with Receding Gums
Before we dive into how a dentist can help with the condition of receding gums, it is worth pointing out that they can only help when the patient goes into their office for an appointment. It is important to see a licensed dentist when seeking information and treatment for this condition.
Patients should expect to begin with x-rays and a thorough physical examination of the mouth and teeth. From there, the dentist will likely ask for some patient and familial health history to determine if the condition could be genetic.
Once the probable cause of receding gums has been established, the next step is to form a treatment plan. This can include one or more of the following options:
- Professional teeth cleaning. By minimizing plaque buildup and the bacteria that causes plaque, it creates a healthier environment for the teeth and gums.
- A prescribed course of antibiotics. If the dentist suspects a patient could be suffering from an infection related to receding gums, they may prescribe antibiotics.
- Dental bonding. In cases where the root of a tooth is exposed, bonding a tooth-colored composite resin to the area can help protect against cavities developing in that area.
- Gum rejuvenation. This procedure can build up the gums with collagen strips and can be a less invasive alternative to surgical gum grafting.
Knowing what causes gums to recede is important, but it is also important to take action if you are experiencing symptoms. Make your dental health a priority again by contacting a reputable Houston dentist for a complete examination.