Several things can jeopardize your teeth and oral health. However, the spotlight often falls on problems like cavities and gum disease. But, did you know that an estimated 88% of people over age 65 have at least one tooth with receding gum tissue?
Gum recession occurs when pink gum tissue wears or pulls away from the teeth, leaving their delicate tooth roots exposed. Without adequate protection, you have higher chances of developing bone and tooth loss, infection, and decay.
Our experts at Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants in Gulfport, Mississippi, use cutting-edge equipment for diagnosing and treating gum recession. You may not be able to prevent every cause of gum recession, but you can help protect your oral health by taking these steps.
Knowledge is power, and that applies to your oral health, too. The first step to avoiding receding gums is knowing what can cause this potentially serious problem.
Some causes of gum recession are easy to avoid, but others can be out of your control. The leading causes of gum recession include:
Many people also develop receding gums because of genetic factors that lead to thin or weak gum tissue.
After knowing the causes of gum recession, it’s crucial to learn how to spot the warning signs. The earlier you seek treatment the better, because this issue can worsen with time and require more advanced interventions in the long run.
In most cases, receding gums cause discomfort, pain, and sensitivity in the area. These symptoms are most common during dental cleanings, brushing and flossing, or when exposed to cold, heat, or sweets. Many people also notice that their affected tooth starts looking longer and more prominent.
Whether you have one symptom or several, don’t wait to schedule an appointment, especially if your tooth feels loose or “wiggly”.
We also check for gum recession during regular dental visits, so we can spot issues before they become serious.
We offer several treatments for gum recession at Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants, including nonsurgical therapies, such as topical antibiotics and dental bonding for mild cases. However, most gum recession requires surgical approaches to provide the best results.
If you have gum recession and other issues related to periodontal disease, we could recommend a LANAP laser procedure. This therapy helps destroy bacteria and diseased tissue while creating a clean root surface for your gum tissue to reattach to. It also stimulates gum tissue and bone regeneration, making it a highly effective treatment for gum recession.
When you have severe gum recession, we often turn to gum grafting treatments. These procedures involve taking a small section of gum tissue from another area of your mouth and using it to cover the gum recession site.
If your gum recession has also led to bone and tooth loss, we could rely on multiple procedures to restore your oral health, such as bone grafting and dental implants.
You may not be able to prevent gum recession entirely, but you can keep it from becoming a serious problem. To learn more, call Gulf Coast Periodontics and Implants today, 228-868-9615.
