Although gum recession can occur for a variety of reasons, the most common is due to gum disease. Along with visible signs of recession, other common indications that your gums are receding due to periodontal disease include:
- Loose teeth
- Exposed tooth roots
- Visibly shrinking gums
- Pain at the gum line
- Bad breath
- Red and/or swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
If you have noticed any of these symptoms, make an appointment as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause and determine what treatment option is best suited for your particular needs. To prevent gum recession from getting worse, it is essential that you address the issue as soon as possible.
Diagnosing and Treating Gum Disease
In order to determine whether gum disease is the underlying cause of your gum recession, your dentist will use a probe to measure the depth of your gum pockets. Healthy pocket sizes should be between 1-3 millimeters, and anything larger will indicate that gum disease is present. If your gums have receded due to periodontal disease, it may be possible to halt the recession with a scale and root planing procedure, a simple procedure that involves removing plaque and bacteria that have accumulated on the surfaces of your teeth and below the gumline. Once they are removed, the root of your mouth is smoothed, which inhibits growth of additional bacteria and gives your gums a chance to heal.
For extreme cases of gum recession, it may be necessary to pursue surgical treatment, with either flap surgery or a gum graft. Flap surgery corrects gum disease by lifting up the gums in order to remove the bacteria and tartar buildup that was not accessible via the scale and root planing procedure, then sewing the gums up to allow for them to heal. While this is an effective method for correcting advanced gum disease, it will not correct the appearance of your teeth being longer. To correct that will require a gum graft procedure.
Good Oral Hygiene Habits
Once your gums have healed and/or periodontal disease is under control, it is important to take precautionary measures to avoid developing similar issues in the future and stop your receding gums from getting worse. One of the most important things you can do to avoid further gum recession is to brush and floss your teeth twice daily. If your gums have receded due to aggressive brushing, be mindful of the force you are applying while brushing and use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Eating a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco products, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash will also significantly reduce your risk of gum recession caused by gum disease. Finally, the most important step you can take to preserving the health of your gums and teeth and avoiding issues like gum recession is to schedule regular dental examinations at least every six months. Scheduling these regular appointments ensures that your dentist or periodontist can monitor your oral health and identify and treat issues like gum recession as soon as possible.
More on Gum Recession : Gum Recession Symptoms