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. Receded 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 multiply, 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. The right option depends on what is causing your recession and how advanced it is. Our periodontist, Dr. Trujillo, will carefully evaluate your gums, measure the depth of any pockets, and determine the healthiest and most predictable way to restore your smile.
In cases where the gumline has receded due to excess brushing, brushing too hard, or misaligned teeth, gum grafting or Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) may be the answer.
Gum Grafting:
Gum grafting is a highly predictable solution for moderate to severe recession. During this procedure, we place healthy tissue, often taken from another area of your mouth, over the exposed root surface. This protects the tooth, reduces sensitivity, and improves the appearance of your smile.
Pinhole Surgical Technique:
For eligible patients, the Pinhole Surgical Technique offers a less invasive alternative to traditional grafting. During this procedure, the periodontist makes a very small entry point in the gum tissue and gently repositions it over the exposed roots. Because there are no sutures or donor sites involved, recovery is typically quicker and more comfortable.
Gum Recession Treatments When Gum Disease Is The Cause
For many patients, treatment begins by addressing the underlying infection or inflammation due to gum disease.
Scaling and Root Planing:
If gum recession is related to gum disease, a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing may be recommended. During this non-surgical procedure, we carefully remove plaque and hardened tartar from above and below the gumline. We then smooth the root surfaces to discourage bacteria from reattaching. This helps your gums heal and can reduce inflammation, preventing further recession. In mild to moderate cases, this alone may significantly improve gum health.
Antibiotic Therapy:
When bacteria are particularly aggressive, we may recommend antibiotic treatment alongside deep cleaning. This could include a topical antibiotic placed directly into the gum pockets or an oral antibiotic to control infection. Reducing harmful bacteria allows your gums to heal more effectively and lowers the risk of continued tissue breakdown.
Laser Gum Treatment (LANAP®):
For patients with more advanced periodontal disease, laser therapy may be an excellent option. Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP®) is a minimally invasive treatment that targets infected tissue while preserving healthy gum structure. The laser removes bacteria and diseased tissue with precision, stimulates healing, and encourages reattachment of the gum to the tooth. Many patients appreciate that laser treatment often involves less discomfort and faster recovery compared to traditional surgery.
Our goal is to stop the progression of gum recession, protect your teeth, and restore your confidence.
If you suspect that your gums are receding, don’t hesitate to call us for an appointment. We are happy to evaluate your overall dental health and make a recommendation based on your current condition. We can also talk with you about costs, recovery times, and more details of each procedure.
