Gums are the soft tissue that surrounds your teeth. They contain blood vessels, which nourish your gums and help them to stay strong. If a person has receding gum lines, it means that their gums have pulled away from their teeth, and you may need to get periodontics in Pflugerville, TX.
Receding gums, also known as recession gum lines, are the spaces between your teeth where gum tissue grows. As we age and our mouths become less flexible, our gums recede from the teeth that surround them. This can happen gradually over time or suddenly due to trauma or illness. Receding gums can be treated by scaling, polishing, and using minimally invasive techniques to protect your gum tissue.
What Causes Receding Gums?
Receding gums are caused by bacteria and plaque on the teeth, which can irritate your gums.
Several factors may lead to receding gums, including:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Genetics
- Smoking
- Hormonal imbalance
It is important to visit a Pflugerville dentist if you have sensitivity to hot and cold foods and bleeding or swollen gums.
Side Effects of Receding Gums
If you have receding gums, you may experience some side effects. These can include bleeding gums, gum infections, and tooth loss. If you notice any of these side effects, be sure to see your dentist right away.
- Bleeding gums: One of the most common side effects of receding gums is bleeding gums. If your gums are receding, they may become tender and bleed more easily when brushed or flossed.
- Gum infections: f the gum tissue around your teeth is not healthy, and it can lead to infection. Gum infections can cause pain, redness, swelling, and bad breath. The infection spreads to nearby tissues, and it can cause abscesses or inflammation.
- Tooth loss: When the gum tissue around your teeth starts to recede, it exposes the roots, and this will cause the teeth to decay and, eventually, tooth loss.
What Should You Do If You Have Receding Gums?
You must visit your dentist for a professional evaluation if you have receding gum lines. Your dentist can determine whether or not the gums are receding and what treatment options may be available.
The most common treatment for receding gums is scaling and root planing. This deep cleaning of the teeth removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line.
You may need surgery to correct the problem if your receding gums are severe. There are two types of surgery that can be done:
- Flap surgery: Flap surgery is when the gum tissue is lifted, and any diseased tissue is removed. The gum tissue is then put back in place and stitched.
- Soft tissue grafting involves taking healthy tissue from another area of your mouth and attaching it to the receded gums.
- A bone grafting procedure can also be done to regenerate bone loss because of gum disease. This treatment involves fixing bone granules in the affected area to support new bone.
How Can You Prevent Receding Gums?
Here are some tips:
- Brush and floss regularly. Poor dental hygiene might increase your susceptibility to decay and gum disease.
- Eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will also help slow down any recessionary effects on your mouth's lower half.
- Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco as these habits might speed up further recession of your gums over time; they're also known irritants that can cause inflammation and lead directly back into a more rapid loss!
- Avoid alcohol. It can damage the soft tissues in your mouth and make it more likely for bacteria that cause bad breath or inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) to grow in those areas too!
- It is also recommended to wear mouth protectors when playing contact because this protects against injury from collisions to reduce chances for dental trauma.
Schedule an Appointment
Receding gums can be a very painful condition, and it can be treated with scaling and polishing. You may also use minimally invasive techniques such as gum reshaping surgery. Visit Peak Dental in Pflugerville for more information about receding gums and what you can expect.
