If you have begun to experience receding gums, it's important to get this taken care of before a serious infection develops. Here's what you need to know about the causes and treatments of receding gums.
Causes of Receding Gums
Gum recession can be caused by a number of things under your control. One common issue is periodontal disease; bacteria can cause the rapid dissolution of your gum support by destroying the connection between gum tissue and bones. Your tooth brushing can also play a part; if you brush too hard, then you may be damaging the gum tissue over time. Understanding the causes of your receding gums is often critical to a solution. Your dentist will review your mouth's condition and point to any changes you can make to your brushing and eating habits, in order to stop the progression of this problem.
Treatment Options
There are a couple of ways to treat receding gums. The first thing your dentist may try is a deep cleaning to get rid of built up tartar and bacteria that can lead to your gums' deterioration. The dentist will use a tool called a scaler to scrape off visible plaque and also reach into the base of the teeth where it may be difficult to brush.
If this treatment isn't effective for your receding gums, the next step may be to escalate to gum surgery. Gum surgery for receding gums can come in a number of forms. The first thing the dentist will do is a pocket depth reduction, where the doctor will incise the tissue to remove bacteria and then secure the gum tissue back over your tooth's root. If the bone under your gums has begun to deteriorate, the doctor may also need to apply some regenerative material to the tooth to support your bones in their effort to regenerate. Soft tissue from other parts of your mouth can be used, as can a stimulating protein. If the condition of your gums is very weak and there's not much tissue left to stretch over the root, then some soft tissue may be pulled from another area and implanted in your gums.
In short, receding gums are a problem that has quite a few solutions. Ask your dentist, like Dr Joseph W Langford, about the appropriate next steps for you, based on the condition and strength of your gums. There may be a combination of dental treatments and lifestyle interventions that is most effective.
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