Gum Recession

The gums inside the mouth are there to help keep the teeth healthy and secure. Healthy gums and healthy teeth depend on one another, and when either one’s health is compromised the other will suffer. Gum recession is what happens when gum tissue begins to pull away from the teeth, exposing their roots. Gum recession can cause serious oral health issues, and it needs to be addressed by your dentist before major problems occur.

Gum recession most often causes extreme sensitivity to the tooth or teeth where the gums have recessed to expose the tooth roots. The root of every tooth is made up of hundreds of blood vessels and nerve fibers that experience jolts of shock when exposed to hot and cold temperature changes. Causes of gum recession are noted below:

• Overly aggressive brushing. Brushing the teeth too aggressively can cause the gums to retract. It is important that you always look at your toothbrush and that it is labeled “soft.” It is not how hard you brush your teeth that matters, it is that you brush them well at least twice a day.
• Tooth grinding and/or clenching. If you grind or clench your teeth at night or during the day, it can cause the gums to react and recede from the teeth. Mouth guards can provide an easy solution to keep you from grinding and clenching your teeth.
• Misaligned teeth. Teeth that are misaligned can cause gum recession, mostly because some teeth will receive more access to brushing while others will not have much contact with the toothbrush. Having an aligned smile is more important than just having pretty teeth – it also benefits the entire health of the mouth.
• Poor oral hygiene. Bacteria laden plaque that forms on the gum line of the teeth can eat away at the gums, causing severe gum recession. Flossing each day will help remove plaque from the gum line, so that the gums stay healthy and in their proper place.

At Family & Cosmetic Dental Care in Johns Creek, Dr. Mitul Patel provides excellent treatment for gum recession. Do not ignore this issue, because doing so can compromise the entire health of your mouth – and cause tooth loss to occur.

Posted by Mitul Patel DDS, Family & Cosmetic Dental Care
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