Gum recession affects many patients where one lacks adequate periodontal tissue to support teeth. Although there are available treatments to reverse gingival tissue damage, patients should appreciate the significance of an early gum recession Midtown East diagnosis in preventing severe gum loss. Here is why you should not hesitate to seek early treatment.
What is gum recession?
Receding gums is a condition that involves periodontal tissue atrophy. Atrophy occurs when cells undergo a decrease in volume, causing their structural digestion. For this reason, the layer of gum surrounding teeth reduces, eventually exposing underlying boards of a tooth-like the root. Furthermore, as the gums recede, they pull back or loosen from the teeth causing gaps to form. The resulting gaps make a patient susceptible to bacteria buildup.
What causes gum recession?
The following are some factors that could explain your receding gums:
- Gum disease: One of the reasons maintaining oral hygiene is essential is its efficacy in keeping off disease-causing bacteria. Patients who do not brush their teeth risk developing illnesses due to bacteria buildup in the mouth. If the infection spreads to the gums, supporting bone destruction occurs and thus loss of periodontal tissue to hold the teeth in place.
- Genetics: Many diseases have a genetic code that children can inherit from their parents. The gum recession gene may be the reason for your exposed tooth roots. If you have a close relative with a positive diagnosis of gum recession, you should take better care of your gums to prevent periodontal tissue loss.
- Aggressive tissue brushing: Dentists encourage patients to brush their teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste. However, some patients brush their teeth too hard, primarily if they have not maintained hygiene. The effect of the hard toothbrush bristles on your enamels and gums is a recession.
- Poor dental hygiene: Patients that fail to maintain oral cleanliness risk promoting plaque buildup on teeth. Plaque develops from food remnants in the mouth and hardens over time into tartar. The only way to altogether remove Tartary is through professional teeth cleaning that involves harsh chemicals that might erode the enamel and recede gums.
- Hormonal changes: Pregnant women and those on contraceptives options that alter hormone levels may experience increased gum sensitivity to recession.
- Lip or tongue piercing: Although getting a piercing in your lip or tongue may enhance your dental aesthetics, this jewelry can irritate the mouth’s tissues, such as the gums, and lead to their wearing away.
What is the treatment for gum recession?
The first step in treating gum recession is removing any plaque buildup below the gum line. This procedure is known as tooth scaling and root planing and involves a deep cleaning to prevent bacteria from causing disease. Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to kill any remaining bacteria in your gums.
Surgery is the only effective way to restore lost gum tissue. Your doctor will recommend an ideal surgical approach depending on the severity of your condition. Some of the most common surgical procedures for gum recession include:
- The use of soft tissue graft: Your dentist will cut the skin from the palate and stitch the resulting subepithelial connective tissue to periodontal tissue to restore volume.
- Regeneration: Dentists at Dr. Aaronson & Associates may apply tissue-stimulating protein to encourage bone and tissue regeneration. Contact their offices to find out if this is an ideal treatment option for your gum recession.
