Can You Fix Receding Gums?
With receding gums, the gum tissue around the teeth pulls away leaving the sensitive tooth roots exposed. Small gaps between the teeth and gums form allowing disease-causing bacteria to accumulate. If not treated, the surrounding gum tissue and bone structures can become damaged and tooth loss is possible.
Gum recession is a common dental condition but because it occurs gradually, most people are unaware they have it. As the condition progresses, patients may notice symptoms including:
- Long Teeth: As the gums recede due to periodontal disease, the teeth will appear visibly longer than normal.
- Exposed Tooth Roots: Should the tooth roots become exposed, extreme sensitivity and discomfort can result. Exposed roots are common signs of periodontal disease or could be caused by overaggressive brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush.
- Loose Teeth: As bacteria and periodontal disease around the teeth and under the gumline worsen, patients may notice their teeth become loose.
What Causes Receding Gums?
- Periodontal Disease: Caused by bacteria, these infections damage the gum tissue and bone structures that hold the teeth in place and are the primary cause of receding gums. In its early stage, periodontal disease is generally not painful and symptoms may go unnoticed. If left untreated, symptoms may develop including swelling and redness in the gums, tenderness, bleeding gums, and chronic bad breath.
- Genetics: Certain people are more prone to periodontal disease. Studies estimate that 30% of the population has this predisposition regardless of how sound their oral hygiene regime is.
- Overaggressive Brushing: If a hard-bristled toothbrush is used or brushing is too hard, the tooth enamel can wear down and gums recede. Patients should ensure they use soft-bristled brushes and apply less force when brushing their teeth.
- Poor Dental Care: Poor flossing and brushing techniques can allow plaque to turn into tartar which can only be removed by a professional cleaning.
- Hormones: During periods like puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, estrogen level changes in women can leave them vulnerable to receding gums.
- Lifestyle/Habits: Habits like clenching and grinding the teeth or using tobacco, can also exacerbate gum recession.
Treatment Options for Receding Gums
Patients will need to consult their dentist to determine what treatment is suitable for their condition. Patients should also verify their dental benefits prior to undergoing treatment to determine what is covered or allowed under their benefit plan.
- Scaling and Root Planing Procedure: For mild cases of gum recession, a deep cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing may be performed to clean the affected areas. During the procedure, plaque and tartar buildup is removed from the teeth and root surfaces under the gumline. The exposed tooth roots are smoothed to make it harder for bacteria to attach to and an antibiotic may be used to kill any remaining bacteria.
- Open Flap Surgery: During this surgery, the dentist or oral surgeon makes an incision in the gum tissue, folds it back, removes the damaging bacteria that has accumulated (root planing), and secures the gum tissue back in place over the roots.
- Regeneration: Should the bone structures supporting the teeth become damaged from gum recession, a regeneration procedure could be used to restore lost bone and gum tissue. As with pocket depth reduction, the dentist folds back the gum tissue and clears away bacteria. A graft tissue, tissue-stimulating protein, or membrane will then be applied to stimulate the body to naturally regenerate the tissue and bone in the affected area. After the material is placed, the gums are secured over the tooth roots.