Blog Highlights:

• Gum recession is a very serious dental problem that needs to be treated by your dentist right away
• Gum recession is caused by heredity, trauma, as well as crooked teeth
• Root cavities can easily develop when your gums recede

Gum recession is a very serious problem that many people will encounter especially as they grow older. Gum recession needs to be addressed right away simply because it can easily make things worse for your teeth. This condition is a precursor to many oral problems and if it is left untreated, it can easily lead to tooth loss.

Since it is considered a serious condition, you need to see your dentist right away if you notice that your teeth look longer or more exposed than it usually is. The close supervision of your dentist is necessary if you want to make sure that your teeth will be properly protected and your gums will be restored.

Gum recession is a big problem because it will expose the roots of your teeth. The roots of your teeth are not protected by enamel, but by cementum. This means that it does not have the same level of protection as the crown of your teeth and that it is very susceptible to decay.

The gums also protect the roots of your teeth which are very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. If they begin to recede, you will notice that your teeth will feel pain whenever you are eating ice cream for example, or when you are going to drink something hot.

Root cavities can also easily develop when the gums recede. This is because the root area cannot resist the acids produced by the bacteria for a long time, and also because bacterial plaque can easily form near the roots. Cleaning this area can also be quite difficult especially when the plaque has formed deep where the gums have separated from your teeth.

Aside from aging, gum recession can take place when your teeth are not properly positioned. Your gums can also recede because of heredity, or because of trauma. If you opt not to have it checked by your dentist, then your gums will continue to recede and you will eventually lose a tooth or two.

If you decide to have it checked by your dentist, then he or she will do a special type of dental cleaning called root planing or scaling. Your dentist can also perform gum grafting if necessary. Gum grafting is a process where the exposed roots are covered so that the recession will be halted and so that you will be able to get back the original appearance of your gum line.

The best way to avoid gum recession is to make sure that you brush your twice a day and floss daily. You should also see your dentist regularly so that any signs of recession will be remedied right away before it worsens. Prevention is still the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy.