What’s the first thing that crosses your head when you hear “a beautiful healthy smile”? A shiny set of aligned teeth, right?

While most people believe so, it’s only partly true!

according to this dentist in Brisbane, your teeth and gums both play significant roles in the beauty of your smile and are dependent on each other. Your gums need to be healthy to support your teeth and offer you an attractive smile!

Let’s see what happens when your gums get sick!

We’ll be covering the following topics in this article, be with us:

• What is gum recession?
• The causes of gum recession.
• Can you repair receding gums?
• What is the fastest way to heal receding gums?
• How do I overcome gum recession?
• How do dentists treat gum recession?

“When your gum line gradually diminishes from your teeth.”

If the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls away from them, you will experience a dental condition referred to as “gum recession” or “gingival recession”. When the gum tissue wears away, it will expose more of the tooth and the tooth roots. The exposed tooth root can cause tooth sensitivity which can be an early warning sign of gingival recession.

The Consequence Of the “Gum Recession”

Receding gums can cause gaps to form between the teeth and gum line, which results in collecting harmful bacteria and making the teeth more susceptible to cavities and infection.

Gum recession should be addressed urgently; otherwise, the teeth’s supporting bone and tissues will be seriously damaged or destroyed.

Your tooth’s exposed root makes it more prone to “tooth sensitivity” and “tooth decay”. “Bone loss” and “tooth loss” are the next consequences of untreated gum recession.

Did You Know?

Gum recession is one of the most common signs of periodontal disease or gum disease.

Why do Gums Recede?

Several factors may cause your gum tissue to recede gradually and put your oral health at risk.

Gum recession occurs as a result of:

• aggressive brushing and flossing
• poor oral hygiene
• gum disease
• certain health conditions like diabetes
• lip and tongue piercings
• ill-fitting dentures
• abnormal tooth positioning
• genetic predisposition
• smoking tobacco products
• trauma to your gum tissue or teeth surrounding it
• teeth grinding and clenching
• brushing your teeth using a hard-bristled toothbrush

If you think you are experiencing receding gums, make sure you visit your dentist as soon as possible.

While gum recession is not typically reversible, a timely diagnosis of mild gum recession and the necessary dental treatment can stop the condition from worsening and prevent further gum recession.

Because poor oral health can directly affect your general well-being, it is essential to have regular dental checkups and be on the lookout for any signs of gingival recession.

Here are some common warning signs of gum recession people should be aware of:

• Bad breath and taste in the mouth
• Tooth sensitivity; you may notice that your teeth are sensitive to cold, cold, and sweet foods.
• Feelings of sensitivity while practicing dental hygiene
• Loose or moveable teeth
• One or more teeth that look longer than normal
• A notch near the gum line
• Swollen gum tissue
• Bleeding gums
• Exposed root

FYI: Some of the mentioned symptoms are also signs of periodontal disease or gum disease, which require urgent treatment.

How To Fix Receding Gums

As mentioned before, missing gum tissue cannot grow back. Therefore, treating receding gums is typically done to stop further recession and improve oral health.

Depending on the underlying reason, the treatment options will be different.

Scaling and Root Planing

A lack of proper oral hygiene causes plaque and tartar to accumulate under the gum, leading to gum disease.

If gum recession results from periodontal disease, your dental hygienist may decide to perform tooth scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is also called deep cleaning and involves your dentist or gum specialist removing harmful bacteria from beneath the gum line where your gums are receding.

The dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to get rid of any remaining bacteria.

Orthodontic Treatment

Teeth that are rotated, tipped, or misaligned in general can cause damage to the gum tissue and lead to gum recession. Your dentist may suggest orthodontic treatment to align the crooked, misaligned teeth. The gum margin may be corrected during the teeth alignment process.

More severe cases of gum recession may require gum surgery.

Flap Surgery

During flap surgery, the gum tissue is folded back so that the periodontist can access the roots and the bone tissue. Then the roots will be deeply cleaned and smoothed, and the gums will be stitched into place.

Removing harmful bacteria from the pockets will help reduce their size. This surgical procedure will be performed under anesthesia.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting involves using a gum graft to replace and restore the lost gum tissue. During the procedure, the dental expert will remove a small piece of healthy tissue from the palate or the surrounding gums and attach it to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed roots.

Regeneration

If bone loss has occurred, regeneration therapy may be needed to regenerate the damaged bone and tissue.

The oral surgeon will pull back the gums to remove bacteria and plaque during surgery. Then a regenerative material or bone graft will be placed in the area with lost bone or bone deterioration. The procedure will help your body regenerate new bone.

You can prevent receding gums and improve your gum health by following these oral hygiene tips.

• Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.
• Do not neglect using dental floss daily.
• Learn the correct technique of brushing and flossing your teeth to minimize your risk of gingival abrasion.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid applying too much pressure while brushing your teeth.
• The American Dental Association recommends scheduling dental visits every six months to enjoy a healthy mouth.
• Quit smoking.
• Rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash.