Receding gums – what can it do for me?
Receding gums occur when the gum that normally covers the root of the tooth begins to shrink and expose the underlying root surface. The exposed root is very sensitive and is more liable to decay. Although receding gums is a normal occurrence with age, a lot of people are having it much earlier than usual. It is often the result of wear and tear or years of aggressive tooth brushing. It can sometimes can be a sign of something more, like gum disease.
Receding of the gums occurs because of the damage to the gum tissue. It can be due to poor oral hygiene or gingivitis, both can even occur at the same time. Gingivitis is caused by the build up of plaque on the teeth surface which leads to the swollen gums. This inflammation damages the gum and may eventually cause the gum tissue to break down. Bacteria hiding in plaque can also eat away the gums. The gum tissue will not usually grow back once it is lost from the root surface.
Tooth loss is not the only danger brought about by receding gums. It can be connected to other kinds of illnesses and can also be a warning sign for some very serious health issues that many people would never consider to be linked to gum problems. Studies have shown that receding gums are linked to heart and respiratory diseases, stroke and diabetes.
Treatment to receding gums is crucial if you desire to halt the destructive effects of bacteria on your gum line, teeth, and supporting bone structure. If nothing has been done to alleviate this problem, then unpleasant symptoms can be experienced. Hot or cold liquids may start to cause pain and discomfort for your mouth. If a person is suspected with any gum disease especially receding gums, one must undergo a thorough periodontal examination. This can include a periodontal probe screening to check for gum pockets and bone loss. Graft tissues can be done to cover a portion of the exposed root surface and to reinforce the fragile, receding gum tissue to protect from further recession. For severe cases, graft pieces of gum tissue from the other parts of the mouth can be used to cover the defect.
Prevention is always the better way than cure. The perfect time to treat receding gums is when a person doesn’t have signs of receding gums yet. Establishing a great dental care routine is the best thing to do to prevent receding gums from happening.
