Receding Gums Treatment
Receding gums can occur due to several different reasons, the most common of which is periodontal disease. Although there is no cure for periodontal disease, there are several different treatment options available. If you notice any of the following symptoms, your gums have receded to the point where treatment should be pursued:
- Red and swollen gums
- Bad taste in your mouth
- Chronic halitosis
- Loosened teeth
- Change in your bite
- Pain or tenderness when biting
Although periodontal disease is the leading cause of gum recession carrollton tx, additional factors that may cause gum recession to occur include poor oral hygiene, an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, or simply due to old age. Improper brushing can also cause gums to recede. 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.
Treating Gum Recession
To halt the progression of your gum recession, one of several treatment options may be pursued. For less severe cases, a scale and root planing procedure may be recommended. This procedure involves using special dental tools to remove plaque and calculus that has formed on the surfaces of your teeth and below the gum line, which will allow your gums to heal.
For more advanced cases, the following surgical procedures may be recommended to stop receding gums from getting worse:
- Flap surgery: Plaque that could not be reached by the scale and root planing procedure can be removed with flap surgery. The procedure begins with a small incision being made in your gum tissue, which is then lifted up in order to access and remove the bacteria, after which your gum tissue is secured back in place. Flap surgery is an effective treatment for preventing bone loss.
- Bonding: Protects the roots of your teeth and corrects the appearance of receded gums by placement of a gum-colored resin over the exposed roots of the affected teeth.
- Gum graft: One of the most common methods for correcting recessed gums, gum grafting corrects recessed gums by surgically placing grafting material over the recessed area, which will protect the tooth and bone from additional damage and restore the aesthetic appearance of your natural smile.
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.
Gum recession often happens gradually, so much so that many people do not realize their gums are receding until it is too late. This is one of many reasons why it is so important to schedule regular dental exams at least twice a year, as doing so ensures that issues like gum recession can be identified and treated in the early stages.
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