While getting ready one morning, you’ve finished brushing your teeth and checking them in the mirror, and you notice that your gums seem lower than usual. You experience increased sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks throughout the day.
You book an exam with your dental office, and they tell you that you are developing gum recession.
This diagnosis doesn’t mean that you will lose your smile. You don’t need to hide away from the world; there are things that you and your team can do to lessen or fix the issue.
The Oral Recession
Gum recession is an oral complaint most common in people 65 years and older. This news doesn’t mean that you automatically develop this condition when you reach this age group. It can affect people of all ages.
Age and genetics will play a part in determining who is more at risk. Still, people who brush too hard, suffer oral trauma, chew tobacco or even have a lip or tongue piercing are also at high risk.
Why should this be a concern to talk to your dental team?
When our gums recede, they can expose the root of the tooth or teeth if it happens across more than one. This recession can lead to sensitivity, discomfort, and a higher risk of cavities.
Your dentist can measure your gum line and determine if you are developing gum recession. In the early stages, they may monitor this to see how quickly it develops, as it has the potential to become a more significant issue. However, should you notice the following, you will need to speak to your team sooner than later:
- Heat Sensitivity: Hot and cold food and drinks become less pleasurable and more things you would rather avoid. This sensitivity can be anywhere on or around the tooth but is more prevalent near the gum line.
- Difficult Oral Care: Brushing teeth and flossing is a daily chore we shouldn’t feel. However, if you notice discomfort or pain while doing so, it’s a good time to call the office.
If left untreated, your teeth become more susceptible to issues. In extreme cases, this can cause loose teeth, which may eventually come out, leaving a gap in your perfect smile.
Treatment comes in different forms, from antibiotics, a change in mouthwash (or the introduction of one), to surgery. Where possible, the natural teeth and gums need to be saved to keep that natural smile in place.
Proper Care Starts at Home
There are many reasons why you may find your gums start to recede. Periodontal disease is a significant cause, but some aspects of our daily lives can also contribute to its formation.
A good oral care routine is the easiest way to help stave off dental issues for as long as possible. Regular brushing with the right toothbrush and paste helps to strengthen the enamel and lessen the risk of cavities. Flossing with good dental floss helps remove stubborn foods between teeth and improves gum health.
Making it a trifecta of care by adding mouthwash will help to provide the ultimate dental care at home.
Regular check-ups are a vital part of this care routine. Your dentist can check for early warning signs, and your dental hygienist can give your mouth that extra deep clean to help break up stubborn plaque spots.
It’s Time For Action
If you have been diagnosed with Gum Recession, then there are different options that your team will discuss. Your available options will all be dependent on the severity. Therefore, each patient is different and has different needs.
If the cause is periodontal disease, your dentist can prescribe antibiotics to start healing. You may have been too thorough in brushing, so a different type of brush is recommended.
Should the teeth be misaligned or twisted, braces could be an option. Not only does this help slow down the progression of recession, but it also brings your smile back to life.
The important thing to know is that when you have started to develop a recession, the gums do not grow back. It is now about slowing the process or repairing the damage.
Your dentist may discuss surgical options should there be damage to the tooth/teeth, the gums are now missing, or there is a need to prevent further damage.
Surgical Options
Cosmetic Dentistry allows you to treat the issue and regain your smile. For Cosmetic Dentistry, Mississauga, Bristol Dental will restore your smile and treat your gum recession. Cosmetic dental surgery could look like one of the following, depending on your situation.
Dental bonding is where a tooth-coloured resin is used at the base of the tooth to hide the damage, allowing the tooth and gum to blend in again and create a camouflage effect. Dental bonding also allows the tooth to heal and prevent further issues.
Flap Scaling and Root Planting could be an option. The dentist pulls back a section of the gum to clean out any bacteria present, then pulls the gum up and secures it over the tooth again.
For extreme cases, a gum graft may be the best option. A section of healthy tissues is taken, usually from the roof of your mouth, and then grafted over the gum line in the affected area. This procedure helps to promote natural healing and protects the tooth and gum line from further damage.
Teamwork Helps To Keep That Perfect Smile, Perfect
Changing your toothbrush to a softer one, making minor changes to your lifestyle, and keeping up with regular check-ups will all help to keep oral issues at bay. However, when problems appear, your team’s monitoring and quick action will help lessen them and keep that perfect smile glowing.
If you have concerns that your gums may be receding, book your consultation now with Bristol Dental, or call 866-673-2109 and talk to our team about your options today.
[…] There are several aspects to oral health. You know that you should brush your teeth twice daily to remove food debris and that flossing helps prevent cavities. As well, you likely spend a lot of time thinking about the health of your teeth. Still, how often do you consider your gum health? […]