Blog Highlights:

• Gum recession is where the gums start to pull back and the tooth root gets exposed
• In most cases, people will only know that they are suffering from this problem if they suffer from tooth sensitivity, or if they see their tooth looking longer than usual
• Tobacco can cause sticky plaque to develop, this is very difficult to clean, and it can cause gum recession
• Dentist can do deep cleaning to help restore your gums
• In severe cases, the dentist might have to perform gum surgery

When the margin of the gums that surround your teeth starts to pull back and expose more tooth, your dentist will tell you that you are suffering from gum recession. If you have gum recession, the gums will slowly go down and expose the root of your teeth over time. Gum recession will also create gaps between your teeth and the gums, this will allow bacteria to thrive and invade the tooth root. Bacteria can easily build up inside the gap, if this is left untreated, it can cause tooth loss, and it can also damage the tissues and bone structures around your tooth.

A lot of people are suffering from gum recession today. What’s more, most of them do not know that they are suffering from this problem simply because the recession happens gradually. In most cases, people will know that they are having gum recession when they unexpectedly see their tooth looking longer than usual, or when they start to experience tooth sensitivity. Typically, a notch will start to develop near the gum line.

Knowing the cause

Gum recession happens as a result of many different factors, some of which include:

Piercing on the lip or tongue – Jewelry can irritate the gums and it can cause it to wear away

Brushing the teeth too hard – brushing your teeth aggressively can wear away your teeth and gums

The use of tobacco – tobacco can create sticky plaque on the teeth, this is very hard to remove, and it can cause gum recession

Bruxism – clenching and grinding your teeth can damage it and it can also damage your gums

Misaligned teeth – having a bad bite can put bite forces on your gums or on the bones that support your teeth

Hormonal imbalance – changes in hormones, especially in women during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, can make the gums more prone to recession

Genes – recent studies have shown that as much as 30% of the population are predisposed to gum disease no matter how much they care for their oral health

Poor oral hygiene – inadequate dental care can easily turn plaque into hard tartar, this can cause serious dental problems including gum recession

Gum disease – gum infections need to be treated right away, otherwise, it can cause recession, and it can damage the surrounding bone structures and tissues

Treating gum recession

Deep cleaning must be done on areas where the gums have receded, this is also known as root planing or tooth scaling. The process requires that the dentist removes the buildup of plaque or tartar on the teeth and on the surfaces below the gum line or inside the gap. These surfaces have to be smooth in order to make it more difficult for the bacteria to create plaque. Antibiotics might also be necessary to help remove the bacteria near the tooth root. In severe cases, gum surgery may be required to help restore the damage.