Top Causes Why Patients Could Develop Receding Gums and Ways To Treat It

ALL ABOUT YOUR GUMS
Even though your teeth are integral to how healthy your smile looks, your gums are just as important. This pink tissue supporting your teeth is the substructure of your smile and performs the crucial purposes of securing your teeth in position and shielding their vulnerable roots. Therefore, a receding gumline is more than just an aesthetic problem; it is a serious dental condition. If you want to keep your gums in good health, you must learn the most frequent contributing factors of gum recession. From there, you can alter your habits and oral health routine to protect yourself from receding gums. In addition, if you currently suffer from receding gums, there are numerous options for procedures that can help in healing your gumline. At MINT dentistry in Frisco, our skilled team of dental professionals performs both preventive care as well as many interventions for receding gums, which are chosen based on the cause of your gum erosion. Continue reading to learn more about gum recession, the causes, and effective treatment options. Local men and women who want to maintain the health of their gums and would like to keep their smiles looking great should schedule an oral health assessment with a dental practitioner in Frisco, TX.

TOOTH LOSS AND RECEDING GUMS
Gum recession occurs when the delicate gumline begins to withdraw from the teeth. More and more of the enamel is visible until, eventually, the sensitive roots are also uncovered. Gum recession typically won't develop abruptly; first, patients will begin to develop symptoms such as red, swollen, and tender gums that bleed for no reason. Pus along your gumline and chronic bad breath (halitosis) are also indicators that usually develop before receding gums. In the event that you notice any of them, you need to set up a consultation with your dental practitioner in Frisco, TX right away. If gum recession is ignored, your teeth could begin to become loose and fall out, since the gums aren't strong enough to keep them secured.

LEADING CAUSES OF GUM RECESSION
Regrettably, receding gums are a frequently seen dental issue, particularly for those over the age of 40. There are numerous causes of receding gums, which should help your dentist in deciding how to manage yours. Several of the most common reasons behind receding gums are:

• BRUXISM
  A large number of people clench their jaws and/or grind their teeth if they are worried during the day or as they sleep (nocturnal bruxism). The pressure of grinding and clenching can degrade your teeth and oral soft tissue.
• PERIODONTAL DISEASE
  The number one cause of receding gums is periodontitis, the worst phase of gum disease. This inflammation of your gum tissue could cause gum recession if not promptly treated.
• MALOCCLUSION AND UNEVEN TEETH
  Similar to tooth grinding, crooked teeth and malocclusion (bite misalignment) can put unnecessary force on your jaws, teeth, and gums. Set up a visit with your dental practitioner in Frisco, TX to learn about options like Invisalign to gradually change your teeth into the correct position.
• TOBACCO PRODUCTS
  The poisonous toxins in any tobacco products can damage your gums. In addition, while they don't include tobacco, the sticky ingredients in vape pens and electronic cigarettes are also dangerous. Talk about tobacco cessation with your doctor and then make an appointment with your dental practitioner to discuss ways to bring back your oral health.
• BRUSHING YOUR TEETH TOO MUCH
  Though it might strike you as counterintuitive, brushing your teeth too often can also lead to gum recession. Brushing too much or too aggressively eventually wears down the soft tissue. All dentists recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth and massage your gums.
• INCONSISTENT DENTAL HYGIENE
  Choosing not to brush and floss after eating allows food detritus and plaque to build up along your gums, which can lead to gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is a top reason that individuals begin to develop eroding gums. Flossing is especially critical in cleaning buildup from your gumline and stimulating blood circulation.
• HORMONAL CHANGES
  The shifting hormones that women experience during puberty, while pregnant, and throughout menopause can cause worsening gum inflammation as well as heightened tenderness. It is very important to be aware of gingivitis during pregnancy, since it can negatively impact the health of both the pregnant woman and the child.
• GENETICS
  Hereditary factors could make you vulnerable to gum recession, which will make it more necessary to pay attention to your teeth and gums. Find out if your parents or siblings have suffered from periodontal disease and then tell your dental practitioner.

OPTIONS FOR MANAGING GUM RECESSION
To determine the proper treatment for your receding gums, your dental practitioner will first have to locate the cause. Gum erosion caused by periodontal (gum) disease will be treated according to how advanced your case is. For individuals who present with the early stage of periodontal disease, commonly known as gingivitis, dentists usually conduct several scaling and root planing (SRP) sessions. A noninvasive procedure, SRP therapy scrapes away the buildup from your gum pockets and smoothes the enamel to help avoid future accumulation. If SRP deep cleaning is not sufficient to restore your gum health, or if you have the second stage of gum disease (periodontitis), your dentist can possibly perform gum surgery, or they could refer you to a gum specialist. During gum surgery, incisions will be made in your gums to penetrate farther into your gum pockets and clean any accumulation on your tooth roots. SRP treatments and gum surgery are typically followed by a cycle of prescription antibiotics to clear any leftover bacteria. After SRP treatment and gum surgery, your dental practitioner will allow some time for your gums to get better and regenerate. If your gumline is still too high, gum graft surgery can be done. Periodontal plastic surgeries usually use tissue from different places in your mouth, such as your roof palate, to increase tissue where necessary along your gumline. Synthetic and donor grafts could also be used for individuals who don't have sufficient tissue to create a robust gumline. After you have recovered from gingival grafting, it is vital that you practice a careful home oral hygiene regimen and attend regular visits with your dentist in Frisco, TX for yearly dental examinations and biannual dental cleanings.

IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF YOUR GUMS
Gum tissue is integral to your dental well-being, so you have to be vigilant about your gums to achieve a healthy, sexy smile. Schedule an oral health exam with your dentist if you have questions about periodontal disease or receding gums. At MINT dentistry in Frisco, our skilled team of dental professionals offers diagnoses and multiple treatment options for receding gums, including scaling and root planing, gum surgery, and gingival grafting. Contact our office in Frisco, TX to set up consultations for your family.