If you’ve noticed greater tooth sensitivity or that your teeth appear to be longer than they used to be, you might have receding gums.
Gum recession is not a condition you should ignore, as receding gums can cause a whole host of oral problems from bad breath to loose teeth and even tooth loss. It’s important to fix receding gums right away. Talk to your dentist about treatment options like scaling and root planing, as well as gum reconstruction.
Causes of Gum Recession
Gum recession happens when the gums that surround the teeth wear away or pull back, exposing too much of the tooth or the tooth’s root.
Common symptoms of receding gums include bad breath, swollen or red gums, and a bacteria buildup in the gaps that form between the gum line and the teeth.
This condition is generally caused by:
- Periodontal disease
- Old age
- Diabetes
- Ill-fitting dentures
- Over-brushing or aggressive brushing
- Bad oral hygiene
- Mouth trauma or injury
- Smoking
- Misaligned teeth
- Nighttime teeth grinding
Treating Receding Gums
Unfortunately, gum recession can’t be reversed. Once gone, gum tissue will not grow back. Luckily, there are several effective treatments that can either help prevent the issue from getting worse or restore the gum line.
If aggressive brushing or bad dental hygiene is the cause of your receding gums, talk to your dentist about how best to adjust your brushing and flossing routines. This way, you will not continue to aggravate the problem, and you can work towards a permanent solution like scaling and root planing or gum restoration surgery.
Scaling and Root Planing
This procedure is suited for treating mild gum recession. Scaling and root planing is basically a very deep clean in which a dentist or dental hygienist removes the plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and tooth roots below the gum line. The procedure also includes the smoothing of the exposed root area to prevent future bacteria buildup and, in some cases, a round of antibiotics to get rid of the remaining bacteria.
Gum Grafting or Reconstruction
If the gum recession is serious, the best course of treatment is a gum grafting or gum reconstruction procedure. This treatment takes gum tissue from another place in the mouth and grafts it onto the area that lost its gum tissue.
Gum reconstruction offers benefits like:
- Reduced sensitivity to temperature
- Improved tooth appearance
- Reduced risk of tooth decay
- Improved periodontal health with less risk of tissue and bone loss
Fix Your Receding Gums at Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry
Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry offers experienced and effective gum reconstruction on Long Island. Our staff are adhering to all COVID-19 safety guidelines and work hard to ensure the best outcomes for all our patients. Call today to schedule a one-on-one consultation with our Long Island dentists.
