RECEDING GUMS

The gums are said to recede when the margin of the tissues of the gum which covers some parts of the teeth pulls away leaving the root of the tooth or other hidden parts to be exposed. When a person suffers from gum recession, he or she will notice the formation of some gaps or pockets in between the gum line and the teeth. These spaces allow some harmful bacteria to have access to the teeth. These bacteria if left unattended to can cause disease, which may lead to the damage of the bone structures of the teeth or the tissues around it. In the end, this may lead to the loss of a tooth or more.

Receding gums are one of the common problems in dentistry. In most cases, the patients do not know they have this problem because of the gradual process of the disease. Gum recession usually starts by causing tooth sensitivity (this is often the first sign of its occurrence) or by causing a tooth to look longer than it has always been. Most of the times, the affected patient can feel a notch around the gum line.

This disease is not something to be ignored. You should meet your dentist as soon as you notice your gums are receding. Treatments are available to be administered so that further damage can be prevented.

If you are in London and you are confused about a dentist to meet, you can as well meet with us. Call 020 71830755 to book an appointment.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF RECEDING GUMS?

The gums can recede because of many factors, and some of them are:

• Gum (periodontal) diseases: these infections of the gums occur when some bacteria infest the gums and destroy some tissues of the gum and the bone which provides support for the teeth. It is well known that the primary cause of gum recession is gum disease.
• Genetics: depending on the genes, some people are more prone to having receding gums than the others. According to research, 30% of the population have a risk of having gum disease, no matter how well they cater to their teeth.
• Brushing the teeth aggressively: brushing the teeth with too hard bristle-brush and pressure or brushing the teeth the wrong way can cause the eroding of your enamel and the recession of your gums.
• Hormonal changes: females experience hormonal fluctuations at different stages of their lives. The fluctuations experienced during puberty, pregnancy and menopause can cause the gums to become more sensitive and more prone to receding.
• Inadequate care for the teeth: when brushing, flossing or rinsing of the mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash is not adequately done, the teeth might develop plaque on it and turn into tartar or calculus. Tartar is a hard substance that gets formed on the teeth due to improper care and can only be removed by the dentist. Its presence usually causes the gums to recede.
• Tobacco: People who use tobacco are more likely to develop plaques on their teeth which can hardly be removed and can cause the gums to recede.
• Clenching and grinding of the teeth: when you clench or grind your teeth, you apply too much force on them, and this can cause the gums to recede.
• A misaligned bite or crooked teeth: teeth which do not evenly come together can cause too much pressure to be applied to the gums and the supporting bones. This will cause the gums to recede.
• Piercing of the tongue or lip: the gums rub against the jewellery which is worn on the tongue and lips. This can cause the gums to become so irritated that its tissues get worn out.

HOW CAN GUM RECESSION BE TREATED?

Gum recession can range from mild to severe. The mild ones can be treated by having the dentist clean the affected part deeply. The deep cleaning is also called tooth scaling or root planing. During this cleaning process, the dentist carefully removes the plaque and tartar that was covering the surface of the teeth. When the tartar is completely removed, the dentist will then make the root area smooth so that bacteria will not infest it again. Some antibiotics may also be prescribed so that the remaining bacteria will be gotten rid of.

If you have lost too many bones or your pockets have gone too deep, the deep cleaning may not be used to treat your case; a gum surgery may be needed.

Visit our dental clinic in London, for your treatment of gum recession and every other dental problem. You can book an appointment with us here.

WHAT IS THE TYPE OF SURGERY USED IN TREATING GUM RECESSION?

Gum recession can be treated with the following surgical procedures:

• Regeneration: This surgery is usually used to treat cases of gum recession where the supporting bone for the teeth has been destroyed. It helps in regenerating the lost bone and tissues. In cases of deep pockets, your dentist in London will have the gum tissue folded back so that the bacteria can be removed. After that, your dentist will encourage your body to regenerate the bone or tissue naturally by applying a regenerative material like a graft-tissue, membrane, or tissue-stimulating protein to that area. After getting the regenerative material in place, the gum will be safely secured around the root of the tooth or teeth.
• Open flap scaling and root planing: this procedure is less involving than the previous as it is used when the supporting bone is not destroyed by the bacteria. In this procedure, your dentist will have to carefully fold the affected gum tissue back to remove the bacteria from the pockets and then loosely secure the tissue of the gum over the root of the tooth or teeth. This will take away the pocket or make them smaller in size.
• Soft tissue graft: the most commonly used tissue procedure in the treatment of receding gums in London, is the connective tissue graft. This procedure involves a flap of skin to be cut open at the palate of your mouth (the roof of the mouth) so that the tissue under the flap which is known as the subepithelial connective tissue can be removed. After this tissue is removed, the flap is then stitched back. This connective tissue is then attached through stitching to the gum tissue which surrounds the root that has been exposed.

The most suitable surgical procedure for you will be based on your need, and it will be chosen by your dentist.

You can visit Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic, in London if you need to see a dentist for the treatment of your receding gum.

WHAT ARE THE MEANS OF PREVENTING GUM RECESSION

Gum recession is generally prevented by maintaining a good oral health. This is mostly achieved by brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily and paying your dentist or periodontist a visit for at least twice a year or as the case may be.

If you already have receding gums, your appointments may be more frequent. Use only toothbrushes with soft-bristles and always brush with the direction your dentist recommends. If you have receding gum that is caused by a misaligned bite or clenching and grinding of the teeth, you can talk to us at Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic so that the underlying cause can be treated or corrected.

You can also prevent gum recession by:

• Quitting smoking and avoiding tobacco
• Eating balanced and healthy meals
• Monitoring your mouth closely so that you will be able to notice little changes when they occur.

When you take good care of your teeth, you will forever be proud of your smile.

Contact us in London if you notice your gums are receding. Call us on 020 71830755 to book an appointment. We would your visit worthwhile.