Got Receding Gums?
Over 200,000 cases of receding gums occur in the United States each year, according to Mayo Clinic. With many Americans experiencing the pain of gum recession, the importance of good oral hygiene is especially critical.
Symptoms of gum recession include:
- Swollen or inflamed gums
- Red or purplish gums
- Shrunken gums
- Gum pain
Causes of Receding Gums
There are various causes for gum recession. Some of the reasons for shrinking gums are:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Genetics
- Too much pressure
- Use of a hard-bristle toothbrush
- Lip or tongue piercings
- Teeth that are misaligned
- Dental trauma
- Periodontitis
Since gum recession exposes more of the tooth, the tooth can become loose or even fall out. Gums are essential in holding a person’s teeth in place and preventing loose teeth.
Treating Gum Recession
While receding gums cannot grow back, there are treatments, and steps individuals can do to help prevent further gum recession or gum loss.
The first line of defense against many oral health conditions is practicing good oral hygiene habits. Good oral hygiene habits include brushing with a soft-bristle brush for two minutes at least twice a day, once in the morning before breakfast and again before bed. Another aspect of good oral hygiene is to floss at least once a day.
Once a person exhibits gum recession, a dental appointment is necessary. During the dental appointment, the dentist will examine the individual’s teeth and gums to determine the cause of the shrunken gums.
Depending on the root cause of the person’s gum recession, treatment will vary. If gum recession is caught early on, a dentist will be able to perform a deep cleaning procedure. This procedure is also known as root planing and scaling.
Other treatments for gum recession are:
- Gum graft
- New oral hygiene habits
- Smoking cessation
- Mouthguard use
- Gum veneers
- Surgery
- Bone graft
Speak with an expert in dental care today if you are experiencing gum pain or tenderness. The sooner dental issues are treated, the better able a person can prevent more serious dental conditions from developing.
Receding Gums and Dr. Pollock
Gum recession can develop into serious conditions that can wreak havoc on an individual’s oral health. Contact the team at Rockwall Oral Surgery to discuss treatment options for shrinking gums.
Ready to make your dental goals a reality? Our team is eager to assist our patients with personalized receding gum treatment options. Contact Dr. Pollock at Rockwall Oral Surgery to schedule a dental appointment. We are available by phone at (469) 264-8921 or email at info@dentalimplantsurgery.com.
We look forward to helping people find relief from their gum and dental pain!
