Receding Gums Symptoms
Because gum recession frisco tx happens so gradually, people often do not notice the issue until it has already progressed. Common signs to look for that indicate you are experiencing gum recession include:
- Visibly shrunken gums
- Red and swollen gums
- Exposed tooth roots
- Bad taste in your mouth
- Chronic halitosis
- Loosened teeth
- Change in your bite
- Pain or tenderness when biting
If you have noticed that your gums have visibly recessed, it is essential that you schedule an appointment with your dentist or periodontist as soon as possible to stop this issue from getting worse. This is especially true if your gum recession is due to untreated gum disease. In the early stages of gum disease (gingivitis), the depth of your gum pockets will begin to deepen, allowing for bacteria to accumulate. As these pockets continue to deepen, more and more bacteria will collect, which will speed up the process of gum recession and eventually result in the loss of teeth. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available to correct gum disease, but the sooner you seek treatment, the better.
Other Causes of Gum Recession
Although periodontal disease is the leading cause of gum recession, additional factors that may cause gum recession to occur include poor oral hygiene, an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, hormonal changes in women, or simply due to old age. Gum recession can also occur due to teeth grinding and/or clenching, improper tooth alignment, or a body piercing stud on the tongue or lip that rubs against your gum tissue, causing it to gradually recede. Improper brushing can also cause gums to recede.
Receded gums will not regenerate naturally, the way other tissue types will, which is why it is so important to treat receding gums as early as possible. Once your gums have receded to the point where the root is exposed, small spaces are created, where bacteria collects, causing the gums to recede even further. If left untreated long enough, gums will eventually recede to the point where bone and tooth loss occurs. Fortunately, there are several treatment options and steps you can take to correct receding gums, the most common of which are scale and root planing procedure, gum grafts, and flap surgery.
How to Prevent Gum Recession
Although everyone is at some risk of gum recession, individuals who lead a healthy lifestyle are at significantly lower risk. This means avoiding tobacco use, eating a balanced diet, practicing good oral hygiene habits daily, and scheduling regular dental exams. Gum recession can also be avoided by practicing proper brushing techniques, such as brushing twice daily for at least two minutes, using a soft bristle toothbrush and brushing gently, letting the bristles do the work instead of your arm muscles. Finally, continue to schedule dental exams twice yearly. During these examinations, your dentist or periodontist will have an opportunity to evaluate your overall oral health and identify and treat issues like gum recession before they develop into something worse.
More on Gum Recession : Gum Recession Treatments
