Receding gums, also known as gingival recession are a typically a result of gum disease which causes your gums to have a receding appearance. This is a condition in which gums shrink, resulting in the roots of the teeth becoming exposed. Other factors that can contribute to receding gum lines are brushing teeth too aggressively, teeth grinding, excessive clenching of the jaw (bruxism), tobacco use, crooked or crowded teeth or hormonal changes.
When the roots of teeth are exposed, it can not only look unattractive but be unhealthy as well. Receding gums if left untreated can lead to tooth loss and sensitivity to hot or cold food and liquids. Since there is a loss of attachment between the gums and teeth, gaps are present which can trap food and bacteria, creating an increased risk for cavities or even other other periodontal problems.
For most people, since receding of the gum line is so gradual, they do not notice the changes until the recession is fully visible and often advanced. If you are wondering if you might be experiencing receding gums, looks for these symptoms:
-
Your teeth appear to be longer.
-
There are spaces in between your teeth by your gum line.
-
You can see exposed roots at the base of your teeth. (This area will appear more yellow in colour than your tooth)
-
You are experiencing more tooth sensitivity to foods and drinks.
-
A notch on the tooth surface may be felt at the gum lines.
-
Bleeding gums
Ultimately, if you are showing symptoms of receding gums, it’s best to make an appointment with your dentist as this is not something you should ignore. Depending on the severity or how advanced your receding gums are, your Burnaby Dentist will recommend treatment solutions from non-surgical to surgery procedures. The purpose of the treatments are to restore healthy gums and prevent further gum disease which can lead to tooth loss.
Some of the possible treatments might be:
Deep cleaning/ root planing: plaque and tartar buildup is removed from roots of the teeth where the gums are receding.
Gum Grafting: this involves taking gum tissue from the roof of the mouth or using gum grafting material to replace missing gum tissue. Gum grafting is a surgical procedure and performed by a dentist or periodontal specialist.
Regeneration: a surgical procedure where a regenerative material is placed in the area of bone loss to help regenerate the bone and tissue. This procedure is performed by a dentist or periodontal specialist.
Reversing receding gums is not likely to occur naturally so prevention is key.
There are some steps that can be taken at home that will help prevent receding gum lines:
-
Follow a good oral hygiene routine that consists of brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Receding gums can be a result of gum disease. If you can keep dental plaque off your teeth, this will go a long way as a preventative measure.
-
Use a good quality, soft toothbrush and learn how to brush properly so you are not brushing too hard and aggressively on your gum line.
-
If you grind your teeth at night, consider sleeping with a night guard.
-
Look at options for straightening your teeth if they are crowded or misaligned. Crowded teeth are harder to keep clean and more susceptible to tartar build up which can lead to gum disease.
-
Visit your dentist regularly. This will help keep your gums and teeth healthy and your dentist will be able to spot symptoms of receding gums before it progresses to an advanced stage.
If prevention and treatment is not undertaken for receding gums, this can result in tooth loss and other serious effects on your oral health. If you have concerns or questions about the health of your gums, please do not hesitate to contact the dentists at North Burnaby Dental Group or ask your dentist at your next appointment.
