Frequent Reasons Why People Might Develop Receding Gums and Ways To Prevent It

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR GUMS
Although your teeth are fundamental to how attractive your smile looks, your gums are also important. This delicate tissue surrounding your teeth is the basis for your smile and performs the vital purposes of holding your teeth in place and covering their sensitive roots. Therefore, gum recession is more than just a cosmetic issue. It is a serious oral health condition. If you want to keep your gums healthy, you must learn the common causes of gum recession. With that knowledge, you can change your habits and oral health routine to defend against gum recession. Plus, if you already have receding gums, there are several options for procedures that can aid in maintaining your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Little York, our skilled team of dental professionals performs both preventive care and a full range of interventions for receding gums, each of which is selected based on the cause of your gum recession. Continue reading to learn more about receding gums, the causes, and common treatment methods. Area patients who have questions about the health of their gums and would like to keep their teeth and gums looking sexy are invited to plan an oral health evaluation with their dental practitioner in Houston, TX.

TOOTH LOSS AND GUM RECESSION
A receding gumline occurs when the compromised gumline begins to shrink away from the teeth. More and more of the tooth is exposed until, eventually, the sensitive roots are also bare. Gum recession generally won't happen abruptly. Often, you'll begin to notice symptoms like red, swollen, and painful gums that bleed for no reason. Discharge at your gumline and persistent foul-smelling breath (halitosis) are also indicators that typically develop before gum recession. In the event that you have any of them, we urge you to set up a visit with your dental practitioner in Houston, TX right away. If gum recession is ignored, your teeth can become loose or fall out because the gum tissues aren't strong enough to keep them in position.

COMMON CAUSES OF RECEDING GUMS
Sadly, receding gums are not an unusual dental problem, especially for individuals over 40 years old. There are several causes of gum recession, which should aid your dentist in establishing the best way to manage yours. Several of the most frequently seen causes of gum erosion are:

• MALOCCLUSION OR CROOKED TEETH
  Like with bruxism, uneven teeth and malocclusion (bite misalignment) can impose unnecessary force on your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Plan an appointment with your dentist in Houston, TX to discuss treatments like Invisalign to gently change your teeth into the correct alignment.
• HEREDITY
  Your DNA may make you vulnerable to gum recession, which will make it more critical to pay attention to your teeth and gums. Find out whether any family members have had gum disease and then let your dentist know.
• PERIODONTAL DISEASE
  The top reason behind receding gums is periodontitis, the worst phase of periodontal disease. This disease of your soft tissue can cause gum recession if not promptly treated.
• INSUFFICIENT DENTAL CARE
  Failing to floss and brush every day causes food remnants and plaque to build up along your gums, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease is a leading reason that patients begin to develop gum recession. Flossing is especially important in removing this accumulation from your gums and boosting blood circulation.
• SMOKING OR CHEWING TOBACCO
  The poisonous chemicals in any tobacco products can damage your gums. In addition, while they don't include tobacco, the viscous ingredients in vape pens and electronic cigarettes are also harmful. Discuss tobacco cessation with your primary care physician and then make an appointment with your dentist to go over your options to restore your oral health.
• BRUSHING TOO HARSHLY
  Though it may seem counterintuitive, brushing your teeth too roughly can also lead to gum recession. Brushing too often or too harshly gradually wears down the soft tissue. You should be using a soft-bristled toothbrush when you clean your teeth and massage your gums.
• CLENCHING OR GRINDING TEETH
  A large number of people clench their teeth and jaws if they are concentrating at work or while sleeping (nocturnal bruxism). The force of clenching and grinding can degrade your teeth and gums.
• HORMONE FLUCTUATIONS
  The variations in hormones that females go through during puberty, pregnancy, and all the way through menopause can trigger worsening gum inflammation as well as heightened sensitivity. It is very important to prevent gingivitis during pregnancy, since it may negatively impact the health of the pregnant woman and the baby.

YOUR CHOICES FOR TREATING GUM RECESSION
To decide on the most appropriate treatment for your receding gums, your dental practitioner will first need to locate the cause. Gum erosion caused by periodontal (gum) disease will be treated according to how serious your gum disease is. For those who have the first stage of gum disease, referred to as gingivitis, dentists often recommend multiple scaling and root planing (SRP) treatments. A nonsurgical procedure, SRP therapy scrapes away the buildup from your gum pockets and polishes away pits in the enamel to protect against future accumulation. If SRP deep cleaning is not enough to restore your oral health, or if you are experiencing the second stage of gum disease (periodontitis), your dental practitioner can possibly perform gum surgery, or they could refer you to an oral surgeon. During gum surgery, tiny, precise cuts will be created in your gums to enter farther into your gum pockets and remove the plaque along your tooth roots. SRP treatments and periodontal surgery are generally followed by a cycle of prescription antibiotics to destroy any remaining bacteria. Following SRP treatment and gum surgery, your dental practitioner will wait a bit for your gums to get better and regrow on their own. In the event that your gumline remains insufficient, periodontal plastic surgery can be performed. Gingival grafts generally utilize tissue from different places in your mouth, for example, the roof of your mouth, to supplement the tissue where required on your gumline. Synthetic and donor grafts may also be used for individuals who don't have adequate tissue to create a healthy gumline. After you have healed from gum grafting, it is important to follow a good home oral hygiene routine and attend regular appointments with your dental practitioner in Houston, TX for yearly dental examinations and biannual professional cleanings.

REHABILITATE YOUR GUMLINE
Gum tissue is central to your general dental health, so you need to be vigilant about your gums to have a brilliant, healthy smile. Schedule a tooth and gum checkup with your dentist if you have questions about gum disease or gum recession. At MINT dentistry in Little York, our skilled team of dental professionals provides diagnoses and many treatment options for gum recession, including SRP therapy, periodontal surgery, and gum grafting. Contact our practice in Houston, TX to schedule exams for your whole family.