Don’t let gum recession ruin your oral health and affect your smile. Getting this condition properly diagnosed and treated can stop gum disease, and keep it from worsening. At Broadway Family Dental, Dr. Ella Dekhtyar focuses on identifying why your gums are receding and assesses the extent of damage to propose the best solutions that prevent further complications. She provides the most advanced treatments that help you fight gum disease and offers precautionary guidelines to ensure you enjoy healthy teeth and gums for years.
Gums are the dense tissues that cover the jawbone and roots of the teeth and help them stay in place. Healthy gums should fit firmly and snugly around the tooth. Gum recession is a common dental problem in which the gum tissue reduces, and the root of the tooth becomes exposed. It is a sign that your oral health and smile are at risk for serious, irreversible damage if left untreated.
Most people are not aware that even small, daily habits can contribute to gum loss. It is essential to schedule regular dental visits to prevent gum recession from starting or worsening if it has already begun.
According to the American Dental Association, while gum recession is more common in people over 65, it can happen to people of all ages, even those with good oral hygiene.
What is Gum Recession?
Gum recession is a form of gum disease. It happens when your gum tissue pulls away from your teeth, exposing the root underneath, and leaving the teeth more vulnerable to cavities. Our teeth rely on our gums to keep them firmly in place. If the gums recede or shrink, the teeth can become loose and may even fall out. Gum recession can be mild, moderate, or severe, and it can affect one or multiple teeth.
When your gums recede or pull away from your teeth, it can lead to the formation of gaps or pockets between teeth and gums, which results in bacterial buildup, causing infections and diseases. This is known as gingival recession, and if it is not treated in time, it can lead to tooth sensitivity, bone loss, and tooth loss.
Cause of Gum Recession
Receding gums are a big dental issue and can lead to serious oral health complications. Knowing the underlying causes is the first step towards controlling it and helping to determine the correct course of treatment.
Here are some of the most common causes of gum recession.
1. Genetics
It may be difficult to understand, but some people are just born with gums that are prone to recede. Even if you take good care of your gums and teeth, chances are you will have to deal with receding gums if they run in your family. As frustrating as it can be, there is nothing you can do about it as it is in your genes.
2. Brushing Aggressively
Gums are soft and sensitive, and aggressive brushing can damage the enamel on your teeth and wear away the gum tissues. You may feel that you cleaning your teeth better with diligent brushing, but forceful brushing or scrubbing can wear down your gums and teeth, resulting in receding gums. You should also avoid using a toothbrush with hard bristles as they can actually damage the gums and teeth.
3. Mouth Injury or Trauma
Any gum or teeth injury can lead to shrinking gums, or a disrupted healing process can lead to gum recession. In addition, if you take a blow to the mouth or fall and hit your face, it may cause your teeth to become loose or malpositioned. Any type of dental trauma that is not treated right can cause lasting effects on your gum and oral health.
4. Periodontal Disease
If gum diseases are not treated timely, they can result in gum recession. Early-stage gum disease, known as gingivitis, can cause red, swollen, and bleeding gums. If you ignore it, it progresses to periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease, which involves bacterial buildup, inflammation, infection, and gum tissue damage, including recession. The bacteria reach the connective tissue and bone that holds the teeth in place and wear them down.
5. Braces and Dental Restorations
Orthodontic therapy is an excellent way to straighten teeth and improve oral health. Braces, spreaders, and invisible aligners all the time puts constant force over the teeth and gums to reposition your teeth, which can lead to gum inflammation and recession. Even poorly fitted dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, and dentures can put unnecessary pressure on the gum tissues, irritate surrounding gums, and recession.
6. Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene can lead to multiple problems, including a receding gum line. Lack of proper brushing and flossing results in accumulation of plaque and tartar on your teeth. Dental expert recommends regular dental visits, as well as brushing and flossing at least two times a day to get rid of any bacteria, food debris, plaque, and tartar, especially from those hard-to-reach areas. Neglecting to do so can cause tooth decay, gum diseases, and gum recession along with broader health concerns.
7. Teeth Grinding or Clenching
Also known as bruxism, clenching, and grinding of teeth is one of the most common causes of gum recession. Clenching or grinding the teeth on a daily or nightly basis can weaken the tooth enamel. The force with which you grind the teeth can also irritate and damage your gums, loosening teeth from the gum tissue. This condition usually occurs at night, and many people who have it are not aware of the problem.
8. High Frenal Attachment
The muscles that move your lips and cheeks are attached to gums at a couple of locations in the mouth. The membranes that attach them are called frena. If your membranes are attached too high, every time you move your mouth, it tugs and pulls your gums. It can cause recession over time.
Symptoms of Gum Recession
The most obvious sign of gum recession is tooth root exposure. Other warning signs include:
- Pain or discomfort near your gum line
- Sensitivity to heat, cold, and sweets
- Sensitivity when brushing and flossing your teeth
- Sensitivity during dental cleanings
If left untreated, gum recession can lead to other serious health problems such as bone loss, tooth mobility, a wiggly feeling, or even tooth loss.
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. You may need a gum graft to replace the lost tissue and restore the integrity of your gums and teeth in severe cases of gum recession.
If you are experiencing symptoms of gum recession or any signs of gum disease, call Broadway Family Dental and schedule a thorough screening with our board-certified dentist. Dr. Ella Dekhtyar examines your teeth and gums carefully to determine how severe the problem is and what steps can be taken to protect your oral health. Timely diagnosis plays a crucial role in controlling gum diseases and prevents further damage. With her dedicated team of dentists, Dr. Dekhtyar comes up with a treatment plan that is just right for you and helps you achieve stronger, healthier gums.
Broadway Family Dental
1152 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY 11221
(Bushwick, Williamsburg, Bedford-Stuyvesant)
(718) 455-4400