A diagnosis of receding gums may warrant a referral to a periodontist. A periodontist can determine the best course of treatment to save gum tissues and your teeth. First, if an infection is found in the gums, antibiotics may be prescribed.
What are receding gums and how are they treated?
Receding gums is a dental problem in which the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth begins to wear away and expose the root of your teeth. Because this condition puts you at risk for various dental complications, it should be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.
Why are my gums receding around my teeth?
Grinding and clenching can put excessive force on your teeth. This can cause gum recession. A dental hygienist or dentist can usually spot receding gums right away. If you look closely at all of your teeth, you may also notice the gum pulling away from the root of one or more teeth.
What kind of dentist do I See for receding gums?
This is a specialist in gum disease. A periodontist can tell you about options such as gum grafting and other treatments. A healthy lifestyle will also help prevent receding gums. This means eating a balanced diet and quitting smoking and smokeless tobacco.
When should you see a periodontist for gum recession?
Periodontists specialize in the treatment of gum disease, so if your gum recession is severe, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist. The following are some treatment options that can help reattach or restore gum tissue. Gum graft surgery is a surgical technique that can stop bone loss and gum recession from occurring any further.
Why are my gums receding?
Multiple factors can lead to gum recession. In most cases, the cause is periodontal disease, which is a bacterial infection of gum tissue and the s...
How can I prevent gum recession?
Observing good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent gum recession. Brush and floss daily and get a dental checkup biannually. There are other th...
How can I make my gums healthier?
If you want to take better care of your gums and you don't yet have gum disease, you can ensure that your gums stay healthy by taking care of them...
What should my gums look like?
Let's begin with what exactly healthy gums look like — color isn't a sure-fire way to determine whether gums are healthy or not. You know how we al...
What are receding gums?
Gum recession refers to a condition in which gums draw back from the teeth, leaving the roots of your teeth exposed. This condition is also called...
Why do gums recede?
What causes receding gums in most people? There are a handful of reasons, including gum disease, forceful brushing, injury or teeth grinding. Let's...
How much does it cost to fix receding gums?
There are various treatments for receding gums. Sometimes you may have to combine multiple treatments. Have a look at the following table to see wh...
Can receding gums grow back?
‘Can receding gums be reversed?‘ is a common question regarding this condition. In short, no, receding gums cannot be reversed; nor can they grow b...
How to get rid of receding gums?
Brush twice a day. Floss daily. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Apply proper brushing technique to help protect your enamel and gums. If your gums are receding due to factors out of your control, talk to your dentist or periodontist about possible treatment. Receding gums, unfortunately, cannot grow back.
What causes gum recession?
Any of the following factors can trigger the cause of your gum recession. Poor Oral Health. If you have too much plaque buildup between your teeth and gums, the bacteria within it can cause your gums to become inflamed, leading to tooth loss or gum recession. Aggressive Brushing And Flossing.
What is gingival margin?
Your gingival margin is at the edge of your gumline, enclosing and protecting your teeth. Gum recession occurs when: Your gingival margin moves away from your teeth and exposes the root. An exposed root with less calcified cementum to protect them can lead to tooth decay and tooth sensitivity as your tooth nerve endings are exposed too. ...
How long does it take for gum grafting to heal?
Recovery can take up to a week or so as the graft from your palate or other gum tissue needs time to heal.
Is gum recession a sign of gum disease?
Gum recession. It's not a decline in sales across the country for chewing gum. Nope. We're talking about your gumline slowly diminishing from your teeth, making them appear longer and thus, exposing your roots — a significant sign of gum disease. Receding gums, or gingival recession, can be caused by various factors, some you can control, ...
Can over flossing damage teeth?
Aggressive Brushing And Flossing. Over-brushing and over-flossing is a real thing that can damage teeth and gums. Try focusing on technique and making sure to brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush and floss correctly without causing soreness or bleeding. Genetics.
Can receding gums grow back?
Receding gums, or gingival recession, can be caused by various factors, some you can control, and others are out of your hands. Receding gums cannot grow back. However, your dentist or periodontist can help you treat and prevent it from getting worse — which is something to smile about!
What causes gums to inflame?
Periodontal disease is the infection and inflammation of gums and other tissues in the mouth. The bacteria start building up in your gum tissue along with other debris to form plaque which causes the gums to inflame.
What does it mean when your gums are getting longer?
Gum recession refers to a condition in which gums draw back from the teeth, leaving the roots of your teeth exposed. This condition is also called gingival recession. It may start to seem like your teeth are getting longer. There are various symptoms of gum recession. These include: Increased sensitivity in your teeth.
How to fix receding gums without surgery?
It may be possible to fix receding gums without surgery in some cases, using any of the following techniques: Desensitizing agents, varnishes, and dentin bonding agents: All these products are used to decrease the sensitivity of an already exposed tooth root.
How to stop gums from receding?
The best treatment for stopping gums from receding depends on each case, and some cases may require a graft , as recommended by your dentist. Gum graft surgery won't be enough to stop the problem for good, as it's also essential to address the underlying cause of gum recession so that it doesn't continue to happen.
What happens when your gums recede?
When your gums recede, they pull back over the tops of your teeth, exposing sensitive parts of your teeth, and sometimes even parts of your roots. Not only does this have negative aesthetic implications, but it can also lead to sensitivity and other oral health problems. So, if you're worried about receding gums and want to know what ...
What is the best material to fill the gap between your gums and teeth?
These agents not only treat the nerve symptoms but also play a role in oral hygiene by making the brushing of sensitive teeth much easier. Pink porcelain or composite: This is a material that matches the color of your gums and can be used to fill the gap between your gums and teeth.
What happens when you clench your teeth?
Grinding and clenching your teeth can make them loose in their sockets and create deep pockets between the tooth and gum for bacteria to accumulate and flourish. These bacteria make the gums inflamed, and ultimately, gum recession occurs. Read more about what to do if you have a loose tooth.
What is the best treatment for tooth root reattachment?
Your dentist may also recommend a special mouthwash, pain reliever and antibiotic. The dentist may place a membrane layer at the surgical area to help the gums stay in place while the tooth root reattaches to the supporting ligament. This is called “guided tissue regeneration.”.
What can I do to help my teeth heal faster?
Appliances such as splints and bite guards may be utilized to support loose teeth and assist gum tissues heal faster. In case there has been excessive loss of bone or gum tissue, the solution would be bone or gum grafting.
Why do people straighten their teeth?
As such, patients are usually advised to straighten their teeth through the use of orthodontic systems such as braces and Invisalign, allowing for easier oral health maintenance and the reduced risk of gum disease.
How often should I brush my teeth?
Proper cleaning minimizes the accumulation of tartar and controls plaque. Brushing your teeth at least two times every day using fluoridated toothpaste. Flossing your teeth at least once every day or you can also use any other method to clean between your teeth.
What is the treatment for gingivitis?
Generally, if mild gingivitis is present in your mouth, treatment can usually take place on the same visit, where the dentist will start off with a session of scaling and polishing or root planing for patients suffering from more severe form of gum disease.
Why do gums get stitched back after periodontal surgery?
After removing tartar and plaque from the exposed areas, the gums get stitched back so that they hold the teeth firmly in place. Additionally, periodontal surgery reduces the depth of pockets hence making it easy to maintain oral hygiene, reducing the probability of future infections.
How deep is a periodontal pocket?
This also allows the dentist to assess the periodontal pockets of your gums, a normal depth of a periodontal pocket is between 1mm – 3mm. In severe cases of gingivitis, your dentist may order for some X-rays to be taken to check for bone loss. Generally, if mild gingivitis is present in your mouth, treatment can usually take place on ...