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A gum recession is a scary experience. If you’re not familiar with it, you might not understand what’s going on when your gums begin to pull away from your teeth.
What exactly is Gum Recession?
Gum recession is a type of gum disease in which the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth. Exposing the roots beneath, increasing the vulnerability of your teeth to cavities. When brushing or eating, gum recession can make your teeth more sensitive. It can be a very painful and frustrating problem at times. It can also lead to more serious dental issues.
Causes:
Gum recession is caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Periodontal disease: Periodontal diseases are bacterial gum infections that destroy the supporting bone and gum tissue that keep your teeth in place. It is one of the most common causes of gum recession.
- Brushing aggressively: Brushing your teeth too hard or in the wrong way can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear away, causing gums to recede.
- Inadequate dental care: Inadequate brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash allows plaque to harden into calculus (tartar), which leads to gum recession.
- Hormonal changes: Changes in female hormone levels, such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, occur throughout a woman’s life, making gums more sensitive and vulnerable to gum recession.
- Tobacco products: They can leave sticky plaque on teeth that is difficult to remove, eventually leading to gum recession.
- Grinding and clenching your teeth: Constantly grinding and clenching your teeth can wear down gum tissue and cause receding gums.
- Crooked teeth or a misaligned bite: An improper bite can also put undue strain on gum tissue, causing it to recede over time.
- Lip or tongue piercing: Even relatively harmless body piercings can cause gum recession. Jewelry that rubs against the gums can cause irritation and wear and tear.
Symptoms:
- Gum recession causes your teeth to appear longer than they used to because the gum tissue that once covered the tooth roots has receded, exposing more of the tooth.
- You may also notice a wider gap between your teeth as a result of gum tissue loss, which can cause your teeth to shift slightly. The longer the recession is left untreated, the more cosmetic damage it can cause.
- Sensitivity to cold and heat is another symptom of gum recession, which occurs because the tooth roots are now exposed and unprotected. Because the nerves in the tooth roots are so sensitive, temperature changes can easily irritate them.
- The gums are bleeding more than usual.
What Happens If It Is Left Untreated?
Patients frequently believe that gum recession is unimportant because there is no visible infection and it rarely causes pain. Gum recession, on the other hand, can be disastrous to your oral health. This is how.
- Root exposure: enamel is the hardest substance your body can produce. It protects your teeth, allowing us to eat a variety of hard and sticky foods. It also helps to prevent cavities. The roots of your teeth, however, are not protected by enamel beneath the surface of the gums. When the roots are exposed, decay can occur quickly, necessitating costly and painful procedures such as root canals.
- Sensitivity: As previously stated, sensitivity to hot and cold foods exists. This is caused by the nerve endings in the root being exposed.
- Gum disease and tooth loss: One of the most dangerous causes of gum recession is gum disease (periodontal disease). Some patients experiencing recession are actually experiencing bone damage as a result of chronically inflamed and infected gum and bone. If left untreated, this can result in tooth loss.
Are you experiencing a gum recession? Contact Partha Dental right away for the best treatment. We will assist you in determining the best course of action for preventing gum recession and maintaining the health of your smile. So, if you are concerned about gum recession, please contact us right away!
