Common Causes Why People Could Have Receding Gums and How To Prevent It

THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR GUMS
Even though your teeth are an essential part of how brilliant your smile is, your gums are also important. This delicate tissue surrounding your teeth is the substructure of your smile and performs the crucial purposes of holding your teeth in place and shielding their vulnerable roots. This is why a receding gumline is not simply an aesthetic problem; it is a serious oral health condition. If you want to keep your gums in good health, you have to be aware of the common causes of gum recession. With that knowledge, you can change your lifestyle and oral health practices to stave off gum recession. Plus, if you currently suffer from receding gums, you have many options for treatments that can aid in maintaining your gumline. At MINT dentistry in North Arlington, our skilled staff of dental professionals performs preventive care and multiple interventions for receding gums, which are chosen depending on the cause of your gum erosion. Read on to discover more about receding gums, the causes, and effective treatment options. Area individuals who are concerned about the health of their gums and would like to keep their teeth and gums looking sexy are invited to set up an oral health evaluation with a dentist in Arlington, TX.

TOOTH LOSS AND GUM RECESSION
A receding gumline happens when the soft gumline starts to withdraw from the teeth. More and more of the enamel is visible until, eventually, the tooth roots are also uncovered. Gum recession usually won't occur rapidly. Often, patients will begin to develop symptoms such as red, swollen, and painful gums that bleed while brushing and/or flossing. Pus at your gumline and consistent bad breath (halitosis) are also indicators that often precede gum recession. If you have any of these, please set up a visit with your dentist in Arlington, TX as soon as possible. If gum recession is ignored, your teeth might begin to become loose or fall out, since the gum tissues can't keep them in position.

COMMON CAUSES OF GUM RECESSION
Regrettably, receding gums are not an uncommon dental issue, particularly for those over the age of 40. There are many causes of receding gums, which will aid your dental practitioner in establishing how to manage yours. A few of the most common reasons behind gum recession are:

• MISALIGNED BITES OR UNEVEN TEETH
  Like with bruxism, crooked teeth and malocclusion (bite misalignment) can impose extra weight on your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Plan a visit with your dentist in Arlington, TX to discuss orthodontic options like Invisalign to gradually adjust your bite into the correct alignment.
• GUM DISEASE
  The number one cause of gum recession is periodontitis, the latest phase of periodontal disease. This disease of your soft tissue could cause gum recession if not correctly treated.
• GENETICS
  Family history might make you vulnerable to receding gums, which will make it more critical to be vigilant about your oral health. Ask whether any close relatives have had periodontitis and then inform your dentist.
• TOBACCO CONSUMPTION
  The poisonous chemicals in all tobacco products can weaken your gums. Also, though they don't include tobacco, the viscous ingredients in vape pens and electronic cigarettes are also harmful. Get help with tobacco cessation with your general practitioner and then make an appointment with your dental practitioner to discuss ways to restore your oral health.
• INSUFFICIENT DENTAL CARE
  Choosing not to brush and floss every day leaves food debris and plaque to accumulate along your gums, which can cause gum (periodontal) disease. Periodontal disease is a leading reason that men and women start to develop gum recession. Flossing is particularly important in cleaning buildup from your gumline and helping blood circulation.
• BRUSHING YOUR TEETH TOO HARD
  While it may strike you as odd, brushing your teeth too hard can also be a cause of receding gums. Brushing too much or too harshly slowly eats away at the soft tissue. You should be using a brush with soft bristles to brush your teeth and gums.
• HORMONAL FLUCTUATIONS
  The fluctuating hormones that females experience during adolescence, pregnancy, and throughout menopause can cause worsening gum inflammation as well as increased discomfort. It is quite important to protect yourself from gingivitis during pregnancy because it may negatively impact the health of both the mother and the baby.
• GRINDING AND CLENCHING YOUR TEETH
  A large number of people clench their jaws and/or grind their teeth if they are stressed at work or as they sleep (nocturnal bruxism). The pressure of clenching and grinding wears down your teeth and gums.

YOUR CHOICES FOR MANAGING GUM RECESSION
To figure out the correct treatment for your gum recession, your dentist will first have to identify the cause. Gum recession caused by gum disease will be treated according to how serious your case is. For men and women who present with the initial stage of gum disease, referred to as gingivitis, dentists typically perform a number of scaling and root planing (SRP) sessions. A nonsurgical procedure, SRP therapy removes the buildup from your gum pockets and evens out the enamel to help avoid future buildup. If SRP therapy is not sufficient to improve your oral health, or if you are experiencing the next stage of gum disease referred to as periodontitis, your dentist might perform gum surgery, or they may refer you to a gum specialist. During periodontal surgery, tiny, precise cuts will be created in your gums to penetrate farther into your gum pockets and remove buildup along your tooth roots. Both SRP therapy and periodontal surgery are generally accompanied by a cycle of antibiotics to clear any lingering bacteria. After SRP therapy and periodontal surgery, your dentist will wait a bit for your gums to heal and regenerate on their own. If your gumline is still too high, gum graft surgery can be performed. Gum grafts typically utilize tissue from different areas of your mouth, including your roof palate, to increase coverage where necessary along your gumline. Synthetic and donor grafts may also be used for patients who don't have enough tissue to create a healthy gumline. After you have recovered from gum grafting, it is important to follow a good home oral hygiene routine and attend regular visits with your dentist in Arlington, TX for annual dental checkups and biannual dental cleanings.

REHABILITATE YOUR GUMS
Your gums are the foundation of your general dental well-being, so you have to be careful with your gums to attain an attractive, vibrant smile. Set up an oral health evaluation with your dentist if you are concerned about periodontal disease or gum recession. At MINT dentistry in North Arlington, our knowledgeable staff of dental professionals provides diagnoses and effective treatment options for receding gums, including scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery, and gum grafting. Call our office in Arlington, TX to schedule consultations for your entire family.