ALL ABOUT YOUR GUMS
While your teeth are integral to how brilliant your smile is, your gums are just as important. This delicate tissue in your mouth is the foundation of your smile and performs the important purposes of holding your teeth in position and protecting their vulnerable tooth roots. Therefore, a receding gumline is more than just an aesthetic concern; it is a serious oral health condition. In order to keep your gums in good health, you need to learn the common precursors to gum recession. From there, you can adjust your habits and oral health routine to prevent receding gums. Further, if you currently suffer from receding gums, you have many options for procedures that can help in the restoration of your gumline. At DentalWorks – Concord, our skilled staff of dental professionals offers both preventive care as well as many procedures for receding gums, each of which is selected depending on the reason behind your gum recession. Continue reading to learn more about receding gums, the causes, and common treatment methods. Area patients who have questions about their gum health should set up an oral health examination with their dental practitioner in Kannapolis, NC.
ALL ABOUT RECEDING GUMS
Gum recession occurs when the delicate gum tissue starts to pull away from the teeth. An increasing amount of the enamel becomes exposed until, eventually, the sensitive tooth roots are also exposed. Gum recession typically won’t happen quickly; first, patients will notice symptoms such as inflamed and tender gums that bleed easily. Pus at your gumline and persistent foul-smelling breath (halitosis) are also symptoms that can develop before receding gums. If you notice any of them, it’s important that you set up an appointment with your dental practitioner in Kannapolis, NC right away. If receding gums are left untreated, your teeth can become loose or fall out, since the gums aren’t able to keep them in place.
REASONS BEHIND RECEDING GUMS
Unfortunately, receding gums are a common dental problem, particularly for people past 40 years old. There are many causes of receding gums, which will help your dental practitioner in determining how to manage yours. Some of the most frequently seen are:
METHODS OF TREATMENT FOR GUM RECESSION
To determine the best treatment for your receding gums, your dental practitioner will first have to determine the cause. Receding gums caused by gum disease will be treated based on how serious your condition is. For people who present with the first stage of gum disease, referred to as gingivitis, dentists typically perform multiple scaling and root planing (SRP) sessions. A noninvasive deep cleaning method, SRP therapy removes the buildup inside your gum pockets and evens out the enamel to prevent future buildup. If SRP deep cleaning is not enough to elevate your gum health, or if you are experiencing the second stage of gum disease referred to as periodontitis, your dental practitioner may perform gum surgery, or they might refer you to a gum specialist or oral surgeon. During this procedure, tiny, precise cuts will be created in your gums to reach further into your gum pockets and clean on your tooth roots. Both SRP treatments and periodontal surgery are frequently accompanied by a cycle of prescription antibiotics to clear any remaining bacteria. Following SRP treatment or gum surgery, your dentist will wait a bit for your gums to heal and regenerate on their own. If your gumline remains too high, gum graft surgery may be done. Gum grafts usually use tissue from different places in your mouth, for example, your roof palate, to increase tissue where needed along your gumline. Man-made and donor grafts may also be used for those who don’t have adequate tissue to build a healthy gumline. Once you have healed from gum grafting, it is vital that you practice a good home oral hygiene regimen and have regular appointments with your dental practitioner in Kannapolis, NC for yearly dental check-ups and twice-yearly dental cleanings.
REHABILITATE YOUR GUMS
Your gums are central to the wellbeing of your teeth, so you need to maintain your gum health in order to attain a brilliant, healthy smile. Set up an oral health assessment with your dentist if you have questions about periodontal disease or gum recession. At DentalWorks – Concord, our experienced staff of dental professionals provides diagnoses and treatment options for gum recession, including SRP therapy, periodontal surgery, and gingival grafting. Call our practice in Kannapolis, NC to schedule appointments for your family.
