Receding gums is one of the more common forms of periodontal disease. It is a condition in which the gums begin to pull away from the surface of the tooth and is often a sign of poor dental hygiene. Sufferers who fail to address the problem could be exacerbating the matter to the point of putting their teeth at risk of loss.
While gum recession is a serious dental problem, the quicker it is diagnosed and treated, the more likely you are to avoid major tooth damage. So in order to take those steps towards avoiding this problem, Richmond dental care asks you to look out for the following causes and symptoms that you need to be aware of the next time you take a look inside of your mouth.
If you suspect your gums may be receding from your teeth, call to make an appointment for a full diagnosis as soon as possible.
The Symptoms
Receding gums are not immediately noticeable at first glance. This condition takes place rather slowly and it may be months if not years before you realize something is wrong. That’s why you should be on the lookout for these revealing symptoms, any of which could be the first indication your gums are receding.
The first and perhaps most telling visual indicator is that it appears your teeth have gotten slightly longer. Check the top and the bottom sets of teeth and be sure to pay close attention to the spaces between each tooth. Do these seem like they’ve become bigger than normal, particularly along the bottom row?
If so, then you may give receding gums. Try using the “finger test” to get a better idea of whether or not you might have this issue. Glide a finger over the teeth, if you can feel a bump or a small divot just next to the gumline, this could be very real evidence of recession.
These are just some of the most common symptoms of receding gums, but even if you don’t detect either, you could still be developing this dental issue if you discover other symptoms that include: tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, bleeding gums as a result of brushing and flossing, bad breath, red and swollen gums, gumline pain, and loose teeth.
The Causes
Since receding gums is a form of the periodontal disease the most significa nt cause that can be attributed to the development of this condition is gingivitis. Though many forms of gingivitis start out as relatively mild, substantially advanced forms of this disease can manifest themselves in a number of ways.
Perhaps the most serious is gum recession and sufferers of this condition need to be much more cognizant of their dental hygiene habits. Gingivitis is merely the accumulation of plaque and bacteria along the teeth and gums.
These harmful elements can end up damaging your gums, forcing them to pull back from the teeth and create pockets where more germs, bacteria, and plaque can gather and make a bad situation even worse.
But poor dental hygiene is just one of the many causes that have been connected to receding gums. Some of the others to watch for include everything from brushing too hard to continuing to feed that nasty smoking habit. If you have a history of gum disease in your family that could also put you at greater risk along with other illnesses such as diabetes of HIV. You are more likely to experience receding gums with these potential risk factors.
Another common cause of gum recession is dry mouth. When you can’t produce enough saliva, the tissues inside of your mouth are more prone to injury and developing a bacterial infection.
The Treatment Options
Luckily, you have many from which to choose. Mild cases of gum recession are typically solved with simple treatments such as antiseptic chips, antibiotic gels and antimicrobial mouthwash. Some forms of receding gums may also be treated using enzyme suppressants.
More advanced cases might require surgical intervention in which flap surgery is needed. This is a procedure in which the gums are lifted up from the teeth and all bacteria, tartar, and other germs are cleaned out before the gums are replaced to their original position. This deep tissue cleaning option is usually the best option after those earlier treatments have been ineffective.
Grafting is also an option, where your dental professional grafts some bone or tissue to the affected areas in order to help the gums to return to their natural position along your teeth.
