Your Gums Matter
When most people picture beautiful smiles, they think about the shape, color, and spacing of their teeth. However, those pink gums are just as crucial to the overall look and health of your teeth. Unfortunately, if you aren’t careful, your gums could recede away from your gum line, making your mouth look unhealthy. Recessed gums can also cause extreme dental sensitivity, since the area near your dental roots has a thinner layer of protective enamel.
Why Gums Recede
If your gums look like they are running for cover, you might wonder why. Here are a few common reasons that gums recede in the first place:
- Over-Aggressive Brushing: Have you ever been told by your dentist that you are a hard brusher? If you grip your toothbrush improperly or push too hard, it can rub away gum tissue.
- Poor Oral Hygiene Habits: If plaque and tartar aren’t removed through normal brushing and flossing, bacteria can collect in pockets underneath your gums. As the bacteria multiplies, it can irritate your gums and cause cell death, which leads to recession. If the biofilm isn’t removed, it can even cause gum disease or periodontitis, which can make your teeth fall out altogether.
- Hormonal Changes: Even simple hormonal changes can alter the way that your gums look. As you get older, you might experience gum recession, which can make your mouth uncomfortable.
- Genetics: If your parents suffered from a receding gum line, you might too. Talk with your parents and your grandparents to see if recessed gums run in your family.
- Injury: Oral injuries can also contribute to a recessed gum line. Once an injury has occurred, gum tissue might not grow back, which can leave your dental roots vulnerable to damage.
Ways We Can Help
Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for gum recession. In addition to traditional gum grafting procedures, our periodontists can also use the pinhole surgical technique. During this procedure, the periodontist makes a small incision and uses a tool to gently push down your gum tissue. This procedure is incredibly effective and requires very little recovery time.
If you suspect that your gums are receding, don’t hesitate to call us for an appointment. We would be happy to evaluate your overall dental health and make a recommendation based on your current condition. We can also talk with you about the average costs, recovery times, and details of each procedure.
