What is gum recession? Gum recession is a form of gum disease formed when the margin of the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth wears away or pulls back. Which exposes more of the tooth or tooth root. Gums can wear away or become pushed back, exposing the roots of the teeth for several reasons.
For example, they might recede around a tooth if it occupies an abnormal position. Receding gums become a health concern, especially when much of the roots are exposed, as it leaves the teeth at risk of decay, tooth loss, and infection.
When individuals begin gum recession treatment at an early age, they might be able to reverse or stop gum recession, but the process becomes more complicated with age.
There are several forms of gum recession treatment are available to prevent the condition from causing excessive pain, infection, and sensitivity.
Fortunately, gum recession is a common condition that can be stopped or reversed using home remedies, including palm oil, flossing, and brushing, frequently bruising the teeth with a toothbrush containing gentle bristles.
Is Gum Recession Bad?
Gum recession is considered to be one form of periodontal disease. Gum recession is a serious consequence of poor oral health, which may eventually result in the loss of teeth.
Researchers claim that receding gums are common in adults 40 years old and above. As a result, the condition is frequently misconceived as a typical sign of aging. The same results indicated that most men experience gum recession compared to women.
What causes gum recession?
Studies have shown that at least three of four adults in the US suffer from some form of periodontal disease at some point in their lives. Approximately half of the adults suffering from periodontal disease suffer from receding gums.
Dentists claim that periodontal disease is a progressed form of gingivitis. Gum disease begins with a buildup of plaque and bacteria within the teeth and gums. With time, plaque destroys the gums and forces them to fall back from the teeth.
When severe cases are severe, pockets begin forming between the teeth and gums. Once these pockets are created, they allow harmful bacteria and food particles to breed and develop more negative bacteria.
Receding gums are caused by several factors, some of which include:
- Aggressive tooth brushing.
If you brush your teeth and gums too hard or incorrectly, you risk experiencing a gum recession. Aggressively brushing teeth causes the outer layer of the tooth, called the enamel, to wear away and your gums to recede.
- Hormonal changes.
Hormonal fluctuation in woman during their lifetime also contributes significantly to gum recession. Factors such as pregnancy, menopause, and puberty are significant players in developing sensitive gums. Women falling under these categories are also more vulnerable to gum recession.
- Periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease which is also known as gum disease, periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that destroys the gum tissue and all the bones responsible for supporting solid and healthy teeth. Gum disease is, in fact, one of the significant factors contributing to gum recession.
- Insufficient oral care.
Failure to adequately brush and floss your teeth makes your teeth susceptible to plaque that turns into tartar with time. When the hard substance (calculus) builds between your teeth and gums, it becomes hard to remove.
Additionally, it forms pockets that house harmful bacteria and food materials for a long time. This encourages the growth of harmful bacteria that eventually damage teeth and gums, resulting in gum recession.
Genes. Some individuals are more susceptible to gum recession than others. Studies have revealed that approximately 30% of the general population is likely to be predisposed to gum disease, no matter how much they try to take care of their teeth.
Grinding and clenching of teeth. Frequently clenching or grinding your teeth exposes your mouth to gum recession. This is because grinding puts much pressure on the teeth that place the same pressure on the gums resulting in gum recession.
Using tobacco products. Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco products are more likely to support plaque formation. Unfortunately, plaque resulting from smoking or chewing tobacco is challenging to eliminate. Constantly taking tobacco products eventually results in tartar formation, which causes gum recession.
Several medications can also participate in the formation of gum recession by causing a dry mouth. If the problem is not addressed on time, the person in question risks getting receding gums.
Dry mouth results from little saliva in the mouth. Without enough saliva, the tissues in the mouth, including the gum tissue, might become vulnerable to bacterial infections and injuries.
Signs and Symptoms of Gum Recession.
Tooth exposure is the most apparent symptom of gum recession. Additional gum recession warnings that you need to put your eyes on include:
- A lot of pain and discomfort close to your gumline
- Excessive sensitivity to slight heat and cold
- Sensitivity during dental cleaning
- Experiencing some discomfort when brushing and flossing your teeth
Gum recession can cause serious oral health problems if left untreated. Some dangers to which most patients are exposed by untreated gum recession include tooth mobility and bone loss. Once you identify the symptoms above, you might need to schedule a meeting with your dentist immediately.
How to treat gum recession
When gum recession is rampant, it might be challenging to treat. However, deep cleaning of the affected areas can treat mild gum recession. However, deep cleaning is not something that you can do at home by yourself. It is a task that a professional dentist can only complete.
Deep cleaning, also known as root planning and tooth scaling, involves carefully removing established tartar from the tooth surface and gum line. Once tartar is carefully removed, the root area is exposed and smoothed to make the tooth surface stronger and make it difficult for harmful bacteria to attach themselves.
Alternatively, antibiotics and probiotics are provided to eliminate any remaining bacteria. If the condition cannot be treated through deep cleaning due to excessive loss of bone and the formation of pockets too deep, you might need to undergo oral surgery to repair the damages caused by gum recession.
To conclude
Gum recession is a periodontal disease that forces the gums to pull away from the teeth, exposing the roots of the teeth. If left untreated, gum recession can cause havoc on your dental health. Just because your teeth might not be sensitive or there’s no pain experienced doesn’t mean your oral health is not in danger. Schedule an evaluation with your dentist immediately after you identify symptoms of gum recession.
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