How to fix receding gums

Gingival recession, another name for receding gums, is a common dental problem when the gum tissue that covers the teeth fades away, exposing the tooth’s root surface. Tooth sensitivity, pain, and even tooth loss may arise from this. It’s critical to act quickly if you have receding gums in order to stop more harm and maintain your oral health. We will talk about how to treat receding gums in this article.

Gum recession can be caused by a variety of things, such as

1. Gum disease

Gum disease is one of the most frequent causes of receding gums. The buildup of bacteria and plaque on the teeth and gums can cause inflammation and damage to the gum tissue, which can lead to receding gums.

2. Too much teeth brushing

Excessive tooth brushing can wear down the gum tissue over time and result in receding gums.

3. Genetics

Some individuals may have a higher genetic propensity for receding gums, making them more susceptible to the problem regardless of how well they maintain their oral hygiene.

4. Hormonal changes

Gum disease and receding gums might be made more likely by hormonal changes that occur throughout adolescence, pregnancy, and menopause.

5. Smoking

Smoking can harm gum tissue and raise your risk of developing gum disease, which can cause your gums to recede.

6. Crooked teeth

Crooked teeth can put pressure on the gums and eventually cause them to retreat.

Gum recession symptoms could include

• Sensitive teeth 
• Noticeable gum recession
• Teeth that appear longer 
• Loose teeth 
• Gum pain or discomfort

Receding gums can cause major dental issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss if left untreated. If you notice any signs of gum recession, it’s crucial to get treatment.

Depending on how bad the disease is, there are various treatment options for receding gums. In some instances, proper oral hygiene habits like consistent brushing and flossing may be sufficient to stop additional gum recession and encourage gum tissue renewal. A more thorough course of treatment, like scaling and root planing, gum grafting, or laser therapy, can be necessary for more severe cases of receding gums.

Receding Gums Causes

Gum recession can be caused by a number of reasons, including:

Periodontal Disease:

Periodontal disease is a severe form of gum disease that can result in receding gums by inflaming the gum tissue.

Too-Hard Brushing:

Too-hard brushing can eventually lead to the loss of gum tissue.

Poor Oral Hygiene:

When plaque and bacteria build up on the teeth, it can cause gum disease and gum recession.

Genetics:

Gum recession may run in some people’s families.

Hormonal Changes:

Gum recession is made more likely by hormonal changes that occur after pregnancy or menopause.

Tobacco use:

Smoking and other tobacco use can harm gum tissue and raise the possibility of receding gums.

Misaligned teeth:

Misaligned teeth can put pressure on the gum tissue and eventually cause it to retreat.

Options for Gum Recession Treatment

Depending on how severe the disease is, receding gums can be treated in a number of ways. Among the most popular forms of treatment are:

Scaling and root planing:

Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning technique that eliminates plaque and tartar accumulation below the gum line and smoothes out the root surfaces to promote the regeneration of gum tissue. This technique can encourage the regeneration of gum tissue and relieve inflammation. In order to conceal exposed tooth roots, gum grafting involves removing tissue from another area of the mouth or utilising artificial materials. A specialised laser is used in laser therapy to destroy unhealthy gum tissue and promote the formation of healthy tissue.

Gum Grafting:

A surgical procedure called gum grafting entails removing tissue from another location of the mouth and sewing it to the spot where the gum tissue has receded. By covering the exposed root surface, this treatment can help to limit additional harm.

Pinhole Surgical treatment:

This minimally invasive treatment involves making a tiny hole in the gum tissue and using specialised tools to pull the tissue down to conceal the exposed root surface.

Laser Therapy:

A specific laser is used during this non-invasive technique to stimulate the formation of new gum tissue and accelerate recovery.

Orthodontic therapy:

Orthodontic therapy, like braces or aligners, can assist in realigning out-of-place teeth and easing pressure on the gum tissue. 

Mouthwash on Prescription:

Prescription mouthwash, like Peridex, can aid in promoting gum tissue repair and reducing inflammation.

Advice on How to Prevent Receding Gums

There are several strategies to stop receding gums because prevention is always better than treatment, including:

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene:

To keep your teeth and gums healthy, brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss every day, and use mouthwash.

Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush:

To prevent harming the gum tissue, brush your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Quit smoking:

Tobacco use, including smoking, can harm gum tissue and raise the possibility of receding gums.

Visit Your Dentist Frequently:

To identify any dental issues early, schedule regular cleanings and examinations with your dentist every six months.

Eat a Healthy Diet:

Gum disease can be prevented and oral health can be improved by eating a healthy diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Manage Your Stress:

Stress might make your gums more prone to inflammation throughout your body. Look for appropriate stress management techniques, such as meditation, physical activity, or counselling.

Wear a mouthguard:

If you clench or grind your teeth at night, wearing a mouthguard can help relieve stress on the gums and stop gum recession.

Utilise a Water Flosser:

Using a water flosser can help you to effectively clean the spaces between your teeth and gums and stop the bacterial and plaque accumulation.

Address hormone Changes:

If you are experiencing hormone changes (for example, during pregnancy or Consult your dentist or physician about managing your oral health during menopause.

Additional safety measures

You should make an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can if you are specifically suffering gum recession symptoms including tooth sensitivity, pain, or obvious gum recession. Based on the severity of your issue, your dentist can do a thorough examination and decide the best course of action.

The treatment of receding gums may benefit from a number of more recent, minimally invasive techniques in addition to more conventional methods including scaling and root planing and gum grafting. For instance, the pinhole surgical approach entails creating a tiny hole in the gum tissue before using specialised tools to remove and reposition the gum tissue to conceal the exposed tooth root. In comparison to conventional gum grafting, this procedure typically causes less discomfort and has a quicker recovery time.

Read more: Heavy eyebrows after botox

Another less invasive treatment option is laser therapy, which removes unhealthy gum tissue and encourages the formation of healthy tissue using a specialised laser. Receding gums can be effectively treated with this surgery because it encourages quicker healing and lowers the risk of infection.

Of the methods of treatment selected, it is crucial to carefully follow your dentist’s post-treatment instructions to achieve a satisfactory outcome. This can entail refraining from eating anything crunchy or hard for a while, using a specific mouthwash or toothpaste, and developing appropriate dental hygiene routines at home.

Conclusion

Dental conditions like receding gums can be painful and annoying, but they can be fixed. It’s critical to act quickly if you have receding gums in order to stop more harm and maintain your oral health. Deep cleaning techniques and surgical treatments are only two of the therapeutic alternatives that are available to assist rebuild your gum tissue and safeguard your teeth. You can also take a number of preventative steps to lessen your risk of developing receding gums, including a healthy diet, giving up smoking, and keeping up with basic oral hygiene. You may maintain healthy gums and teeth for the rest of your life by following these instructions.

FAQ