How Quickly Do Gums Recede?

People suffering the gum recession disorder have the margin of their gum tissue pulling away further down towards the root so that more tooth is exposed. When the gums recede, there are pockets and gap formation between the teeth and gum line where bacteria easily build up. If ignored, the tooth-supporting structures, including the bone tissue, can be seriously damaged, which can cause tooth loss.

Note that gum recession is a common dental problem many people do not realize they have as it occurs gradually. Sensitive teeth are usually the first sign of gum recession, or if some teeth appear longer than others. In many cases, the victim can feel a notch around the gum line.

It would be best if you never ignored this disorder. If you suspect that your gums are receding, immediately book an appointment with our dentist near you for receding gums treatment. They can treat the condition to prevent further damage.

Reasons For Receding Gums

Here are the most common causes of gum recession and how you should address them.

Periodontal Disease

This bacterial infection develops from mild gum infection to full-blown periodontitis. Its greatest risk factor is plaque that builds up to tartar, creating a conducive environment for disease-causing bacteria to thrive.

Gum disease weakens your gums, causing them to recede. It also affects the bone tissue holding the tooth in place. To minimize the risk of gum infection, you should do thorough brushing and flossing, which takes away excess plaque.

Genetics

According to the dentist in Minneapolis, your gum tissue thickness is an inherited genetic trait. Some people have genes breeding thinner gums – they are more susceptible to gum disease caused by plaque. Gum disease eventually weakens the gum tissue causing them to recede.

To minimize the risk of infection, it’s advisable to follow your dentist’s tooth care routine, that is, brushing and flossing daily to prevent plaque formation.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene can cause receding gums in two ways. First, if you do not brush your teeth properly, some plaque remains, which can buildup up tartar. Tartar breeds disease-causing bacteria which affect the gums, causing them to recede towards the tooth root.

The second is through aggressive hygiene. Hard teeth scrubbing may work with professional cleaning activities, but regular brushing is the wrong approach. Very aggressive scrubbing may cause tooth wear and damage to the gums. Instead, always brush gently, letting the brush’s mechanical action bristles remove plaque without applying much force.

Changes in Hormones

Hormonal fluctuations may affect gum health, especially among women during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Gums become more sensitive during these regimes, making them more vulnerable to recession.

Crooked Teeth or Poorly-Aligned Bites

When your teeth do not come together uniformly, you constantly apply excess force on the gums and the jaw bone, causing gum recession. People with poorly aligned teeth may also be prone to tooth clenching and grinding, which puts too much pressure on teeth, causing the gums to recede.

Who Is A Candidate For Gum Recession Treatment?

Before opting for a gum recession treatment, you must ensure you are the right candidate for the treatment. Still, many people suffering from receding gums do not focus early enough; some may not even notice that they have receding gums.

The following symptoms will help you determine if you have receding gums and are a good candidate for the treatment:

• Have concerns about your teeth changing appearance; for example, your teeth appear longer or increase the space between the teeth.
• Having a fear of tooth loss
• Extra sensitivity to cold and hot substances due to exposure of the tooth root.

Moreover, receding gums can indicate an underlying dental condition like gum disease and can increase the risk of tooth decay and tooth loss. Receding gums can also cause bad breath and bleeding gums.

Prevention and Treatment of Receding Gums

Receding gums treatment mainly involves professional cleaning of the affected section. The cleaning involves deep toot scaling and removing built-up tartar and plaque below the gumline.

Your dentist then smooths the exposed tooth root area so bacteria cannot easily attach again. You may be issued antibiotics to eliminate the remaining harmful bacteria.

If there is excess bone loss due to receding gums or the pockets are too large, deep root cleaning cannot treat them, and gum surgery may be necessary. Gum surgery procedures at Holger Dental Group include Open flap scaling, soft tissue graft, and bone regeneration.