January 2023 - Irby Dental Practice

What is gum recession?

Gum recession is a drift of the gum tissue away from the tooth that leaves the underlying root exposed.That in turn makes the tooth more sensitive and prone to damage from tooth decay.

When gums recede, what causes it?

This problem can occur because of variety of factors, including:

1/ Trauma resulting from overenthusiastic teeth brushing,nail picking,deep bite or poorly designed denture. Chemical agents such as topical cocaine could also lead to gum recession

2/Gum disease or treatment of gum disease

3/Smoking

4/ Local plaque retention factors such as high muscle attachments,pull by the small piece of skin connecting upper lip to upper gum or tartar build-up

5/ Orthodontic movements- excessive forward tooth drift or teeth arch expansion

6/ Complete absence of the thin bony plate covering the facial side of root surface(dehiscense)

What could the consequences of gum recession be?

1/ Sensitivity and pain to heat,cold and sweets because of the exposed main tooth substance(dentine)

2/ Aesthetic concerns because of the unsightly appearance of the teeth and smile

3/ Retention of plaque and subsequent gum inflammation

4/Increased vulnerability to caries of the root surface

5/Loss of tooth structure because the root cement is not as strong as the enamel of the tooth

What can I do about gum recession ?

Firstly you should pay attention to the causes of this problem:

1/ Oral hygiene needs improfing by regularly and gently using electric or manual toothbrush as well as interdental brushes or floss

2/ Smoking cessation should become a priority

3/ Gum disease must be diagnosed timely and treated effectively

4/ You need to break habits causing trauma to the gums such as nail picking . Lip and tongue piercing could also make the gums pull away from the teeth

5/ Orthodontic treatment needs careful planning and then regular reviews

6/ Design of the dentures must ensure good support and maintenance is essential

Secondly you need to deal with the symptoms of the recession:

1/ Sensitivity and pain

Desensitizing products could help reduce the discomfort arising from exposed roots(eg. Colgate Pro Relief or Sensodyne toothpaste)

Dentist could also apply topical agents containing fluoride such as Duraphate

In some occasions restorations may have to cover the exposed sensitive surface

2/ Caries and abrasion

Adequate dietary advice (such as low-sugar diet)should be given as well as oral hygiene instructions,fluoride applications and fillings

3/ Aesthetic concerns

Veneers using pink porcelain or composites can be a good solution

When spaces between teeth have been created(black triangles) Bioclear method proves to be very effective to deal with this consequence.

Sometimes surgical techniques are the only way to restore aesthetics and manage cases of permanent and significant sensitivity. Such procedure is the graft surgery.It consists of bringing a piece of tissue from another site in the mouth that is then placed over the root and stitched up.

If you have concerns regarding gum recession please contact Irby Dental Surgery and we’ll take care of your problem.

Why is bad breath happening?

Bad breath(or halitosis) could originate from inside and outside the mouth.

The main causes located within the mouth are:

1.Poor oral hygiene

-If you don’t take good care of your teeth and miss regular check-ups with your dentist , you could be leaving some small food particles behind. These are going to rot over the course of the time and will attract bacteria causing infections

Dry mouth

– Saliva naturally protects your teeth by washing away acidic residue and not allowing them to break your teeth down . It also repairs the enamel of the teeth if it does become damaged.When your body doesn’t produce sufficient saliva small food bits are left behind and this results in bad breath

3.Periodontal disease

– Unpleasant breath from your mouth could be one of the first symptoms of having a gum disease. Bacteria thriving below the level of the gums and the products of their activity cause halitosis.

4.Tongue coating

-Bacteria,food debris and dead cells can get trapped on the even tongue surface. They would interact leading to production of sulfur containing compounds and subsequently bad breath

Tooth decay

– When the tooth structure has broken down and cavity develops it will become easier for food to get trapped and more bacteria to accumulate. That will result in bad breath and further damage to the tooth

The factors outside the mouth include:

Smoking

-Using tobacco products could cause a large number of problems like gum disease, oral cancer, change in taste and halitosis . Tobacco contain chemicals that mix with your saliva and cause bad breath.

2.Foods

-Foods containing high levels of sulfur(like onion or garlic)and spicy foods could cause bad breath.This is because of their chemicals entering the blood stream, then traveling to lungs and reaching your mouth and nose

3.Drugs

-Any medication that causes the mouth to dry out could be a reason for bad breath. Some of these are antidepressants,antihistamines, chemotherapy medications, antifungals, steroids, and even dietary supplements.

4.Medical conditions

– Digestive system issues such as stomach reflux,obstructions,hepatic cirrhosis and cancer

– Respiratory problems such as infection of lungs, bronchitis, windpipe and chronic sinusitis

– Other conditions: diabetes, kidney disease and schizophrenia

How to prevent and get rid of the bad breath?

That will depend on the cause of the problem but here are some examples.

Improving the oral hygiene and regular visits to the dental office are of paramount importance. Brushing twice a day,using floss or interdental brushes and scraping tongue is essential. The aim is to reduce the food impaction, debris and bacteria build-up.

If you have tooth, decay,abscess ,dry mouth or gum disease you should not ignore it and have to go to see your dentist.They will deal with those problems and refer you to another health care provider if necessary.

All medical conditions resulting in bad breath should be diagnosed and treated timely. Seeing your doctors ,at least yearly, will help you stay on the top of any potential health issues and give you peace of mind.

Breaking bad habits such as tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks consumption would be very beneficial . Not only will this reduce the chance for bad breath but you will also get better looking and healthier teeth.

Stay hydrated and don’t let your mouth dry. You should drink 6-8 glasses or cups of fluid a day so don’t forget this.

Foods that make you chew, like carrots and apples, should be part of your diet. A good way to relieve dry mouth is to eat chicken, fish, canned fruits, oatmeal, and mashed potatoes.

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Month: January 2023

Gum recession

Bad breath