As dentists and doctors, one of the most pertinent issues we  observe—and one that people often  misunderstand and confuse—is gum recession. People may observe teeth with increased sensitivity,teeth that look longer, experience,or have changes in their smile, etc. That said, people may not comprehend the condition of gum recession. Receding gums are not merely a cosmetic condiction—they may point to something is going wrong that could affect the health and longevity of your teeth if not corrected. In this short guide, we have a look at what gum recession is, why it occurs, and what it means for your overall oral health.

What Is Gum Recession?

Gum recession is when your gums shrink back showing more of your tooth or the root. Think of gums as a tight hug around your teeth keeping the bone safe underneath. But when your gums start to back off, they leave space between them and the tooth. This means bacteria can party there, and that’s no good—it ups the chance for tooth troubles.

Note,gum recession ain’t a sickness on its own but more like a signal something else ain’t right with your dental health or maybe how you’re treating your teeth. This thing happens bit by bit, and you might not even spot it until you see your teeth look different or they start feeling all sensitive.

Signs and Symptoms of Receding Gums

Patients usually notice signs of gum recession with one or more of the following:  

• Increased sensitivity to pain, particularly to heat, cold, or sweetened substances:
• Eruption of teeth further than the normal position
• Prominent indentations close to the gums
• Dental root exposure
• Swollen gums or gums that bleed while being brushed

In the more serious stages, the teeth may be found to be mobile .These symptoms differ with the degree of recession and progress. In the initial phases, discomfort, if any, is minimal and hence makes it important to see the dentist regularly.

Causes of Gum Recession

1. Periodontal Disease

This is the top reason your gums might shrink back. Periodontal (gum) disease is when nasty bacteria attack and break down gum and bone. As it gets worse, gums peel away from your teeth, little spaces show up, and tooth roots get naked.

2. Poor Oral Hygiene

Slacking on dental hygiene can result in the accumulation of plaque, and in the longer run, it turns into tartar. This tough plaque variant bugs your gums and speeds up the erosion of gum tissue.

3. Tobacco Use

Tobacco use is known to trigger the risk for tissue recession and gum disease in the long haul

4. Bite Problems or Misaligned Teeth

An improper bite places uneven pressure against some teeth and their supporting gums. This pressure can wear away tissue and detach gum tissue more quickly.

Why  you Should be Concerned by Gum Recession 

Slacking on dental hygiene can result in the accumulation of plaque, and in the longer run, it turns into tartar. This tough plaque variant bugs your gums and speeds up the erosion of gum tissue.Gum recession isn’t just about looks—think of it as a warning signal for bigger mouth health issues. Let’s break down what this means for your dental future:

• Tooth Decay Danger: Exposed dentin lacks enamel therefore has a higher susceptibility to decay and/or cavities.
• Sensitive Teeth: Exposed dentin reacts more to temperature and touch therefore may cause discomfort.
• Gum Swelling and Sick Gums: Receding gums leave cozy spots for germs to hang out upping the chances of getting gum disease.
• Teeth Mobility: When gums pull back a lot, the bone that holds your tooth might say goodbye, and your tooth could get loose or even bail on you.

Patients spotting their gums retracting should see it as a clue that more serious stuff might be happening under the hood. Tackling the root issue sooner rather than later could dodge a bunch of big problems in the future.

How Gum Recession Is Diagnosed

Typically the  problem is spotted when you get a regular checkup at the dentist’s. Burnaby dentist Dr. Balogh will poke around with a periodontal probe to check how deep the space is between your gum and your tooth. If that tiny gap is about 1 to 3 mm, it’s all good. But if it’s deeper, you might have gums pulling back or gum disease.

Treatment Options for Receding Gums

1. Scaling and Root Planing.

If you’ve got gum recession that’s not too severe and it’s all because of plaque and tartar, a deep clean—yep, that’s scaling and root planing—might just do the trick. It scrapes off those nasty bacteria hiding under your gums and might even get your tissue sticking back to your teeth.

2. Treating the related causative factors.

If you have bruxism you will need a nightguard, stop chewing tobacco, fix your bite with orthodontic treatment to stop or slow down the recession.

4. Gum Grafting Surgery.

For cases of gum recession that are moderate to severe, the option of a gum graft may exist. In a grafting procedure, a piece of tissue (which may come from the “roof” of the mouth or it may be a donor source) is removed and grafted over the exposed tooth root to restore coverage and to shield the tooth.

Prevention Measures

While not all reasons for gum recession are completely preventable, there are certain steps a patient can take to protect their gums and alleviate their recession risk. Brushing with a soft bristled toothbrush as opposed to a regular one and using gentle strokes can prevent the delicate gum tissue from wearing down. Routine oral hygiene and plaque control by flossing and brushing at least twice a day stops plaque that inflames and causes recession. Not using tobacco in any form is also very important since it damages gum health and healing which decreases gum productivity. Timely, regular visits to a dentist along with thorough teeth cleaning will enable proactive care milestones. 

Stay updated, free dental videos. Join our Telegram channel

Join