Why Are My Gums Receding?
Gum problems are more common than you think and are often neglected. They develop gradually, so they often go unnoticed until the issue progresses into a serious complication. Our dental experts understand the significance of having healthy gums, which is why we stress self-examination and professional cleaning of the oral cavity. If you find gums pulling back from the surface of the tooth, it might be a sign of gum disease or another oral health issue. Read on to learn the causes of receding gums, their symptoms, and effective treatment options.
Why Does Gum Recession Occur?
Your gums play a crucial role in protecting and supporting your teeth. With proper care and good oral hygiene, your gingival tissues can remain healthy for years. However, neglecting oral care or plaque buildup can lead to different complications of gum disease, including gum recession.
Gum recession happens when gum tissues gradually pull away from the tooth surface, exposing the roots. Some common causes of receding gums include the following:
Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease
Gum infections are most likely the cause of this problem. Gingivitis is an early-stage (gum inflammation) infection that causes recession of the gum tissues. Later on, it progresses into periodontal disease if not treated.
Genetic Factor
It might seem odd, but genes play their part in more areas than we think. If gum recession is a common issue in your family, there is a higher chance that you may also develop it at some stage of life.
Poor Brushing Technique and Tartar Buildup
Having a proper brushing technique is essential. Hard brushing can cause gums to recede. However, if you brush less frequently, plaque will accumulate and harden around the base of your teeth. This can change the position of your gums.
Besides these factors, recession can also occur due to other factors such as dental trauma, brushing with a hard toothbrush, ill-fitting dentures, or bruxism (grinding or clenching teeth). If not addressed at an early stage, gum recession can increase the risk of tooth sensitivity and decay, and may eventually lead to tooth loss.
What Are The Early Signs of Gum Recession?
Gum recession is a gradual process that doesn’t happen suddenly, making it challenging to detect early on. Regular checkups with a skilled dentist or periodontist are essential for early diagnosis. However, there are some changes in your gum health that might suggest gum recession:
- Tooth Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity in your teeth, especially when consuming hot or cold foods/drinks, can be an early indicator of gum recession.
- Apparent Lengthening of Teeth: As gums recede, your teeth may appear longer than their actual size due to the loss of gum tissue.
- Notch at the Gum Line: Receding gums often create a small notch or indentation along the gum line, which can be felt by touch.
- Dull Ache in Gums: In most cases, gums often pull back due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. Due to inflammation, you may experience a persistent dull ache in your gums.
Will Receding Gums Cause My Teeth To Fall Out?
In the early stages, gum recession may not cause any noticeable changes. It often follows gingivitis (gum inflammation) and might gradually progress, leading to symptoms like notched gum margins, visible tooth roots, and increased sensitivity.
If gum recession continues, it can eventually lead to tooth loss. This is because receding gums are frequently linked to bone loss, which impacts the supportive foundation holding your teeth in place. As these structures weaken, your teeth may become loose over time. For this reason, it is important to seek professional dental care as soon as possible.
Do Receding Gums Grow Back?
If you have mild gum inflammation, it can be addressed with professional dental cleanings and routine oral care. However, receding gums cannot regrow once they have pulled away from the tooth roots and lost their attachment. Although the natural gum tissue cannot return, there are treatment options available to improve both the appearance and health of your gums. By recognizing the early signs of gum recession, you can also prevent the condition from worsening and maintain a healthy smile.
How to Stop Receding Gums?
The best option is to seek a dentist for a proper discussion to understand the gravity of the situation. They are properly equipped with resources to resolve the issue. For mild cases, some home remedies may work, such as:
- Septilin: It is used as an herbal therapy to stop receding gums from getting worse. A component of guggul and licorice that helps gum to stick properly to the base of teeth.
- Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus oil has anti-inflammatory properties. This oil nurtures tissue growth of gums, which helps in halting its recession. Along with this, it also kills the bacterial buildup.
- Oil Pulling: Tartar is one of the major causes of gum recession. It detaches the gums from the tooth roots. Oil pulling is an effective treatment to get rid of tartar, which stops the gums from receding.
- Turmeric Gel: This method is helpful to prevent gum recession during the early stages. Turmeric gel effectively works on plaque and tartar removal. Interestingly, it also has antioxidant properties that prevent gingivitis, which causes gums to move back.
Despite their benefits, home remedies are only effective to a certain extent. If you have severe gum recession along with other oral symptoms, the best course of action is to get professional treatment from a skilled dentist or periodontist. Treatment options for gum recession include:
- Gum-focused Oral Care: With a personalized oral care routine that focuses more on your gum health, you can prevent further complications. An appropriate technique with a soft-bristled toothbrush is known to prevent this.
- Scaling and Root Planing: This procedure differs from regular dental cleanings. Scaling and root planing are minimally invasive treatments that remove excess plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces, which helps the gums reattach to the tooth roots.
- Gum Grafting: For advanced gum recession or deep gum pockets, gum grafting may be necessary. This surgical technique involves taking a graft from your own tissue and placing it over the receded areas, restoring your gum line and protecting the exposed tooth roots.
- Pinhole Surgical Technique: The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is an advanced approach to treating gum recession. Unlike traditional gum surgery, this technique requires no incisions or sutures, which reduces pain, shortens recovery time, and lowers the risk of complications.
Final Thoughts
Receding gums cannot only affect the beauty of your smile but also risk your oral health in the long run if left untreated. If you have been dealing with gum recession, consult Dr. Prem and his professional team at Almond Dental to get the best treatment options for restoring your gum health. You can reach out to our team today to schedule an appointment.