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.
