A dentist is often a type of magician, helping patients recover appearances and oral health that they thought was once gone forever. This is true when it comes to helping patients regain bright, baby white teeth, and it is true when it comes to repairing a receding gum line.
Receding gum lines are fairly common in adults. But just because something is common does not mean you should allow it to continue unchecked. Gum lines that have receded past healthy levels can cause painful sensitivities and even lead to tooth loss. The good news is that periodontal dental services can effectively treat receding gum lines and get you back to enjoying your lovely smile and pain free eating and drinking habits.
The Basics of a Receding Gum Line
Receding gums happen when the pink gum tissue that surrounds and supports your teeth either wears away or starts to pull back from your teeth. Gum recession can happen just around one tooth, one area of your teeth, or throughout the entirety of your mouth. The more that the gums recede the more they expose your teeth and their sensitive roots.
What Causes Receding Gums
There are several reasons why a person’s gums might start receding. Sometimes, it is a combination of reasons. The first thing that a periodontist will look at is genetics and family background as some people are simply more susceptible to gum recession than others. Other reasons for receding gums include poor oral hygiene, excessive brushing or brushing too hard, and as a symptom of more serious gum disease.
Gum disease is a very serious cause and if you suspect that you suffer from it, it is important to see your orthodontist as soon as possible. Gum disease left untreated can completely destroy the gum and actual bone beneath it, causing tooth loss and other extensive health issues.
Can Receding Gums Grow Back?
Unfortunately, gums are not like your skin or other cellular structures that will grow back or heal back to its original size. Once the gums have receded, they have receded. This is why early treatment is so important.
But do not despair! We do have treatment options that will both treat the underlying issues including gum disease, and will give the appearance of full gums and healthy teeth.
When to Get Help for Receding Gums
If you are starting to notice gum recession, it is important to contact your dentist and make an appointment as soon as possible. Remember, there is no going back, but we can stop the gum recession in its tracks.
Committing to twice yearly dentist visits is also the best proactive way to stay ahead of the game. The more often your dentist sees you, the better they can assess your oral health and get you on the right route should they see the first symptoms of something like gum disease start to arise.
Receding Gums Treatment
Only your orthodontist can make the appropriate treatment recommendations for your case as they will have to determine the severity of the issue as well as the underlying causes in order to make the best recommendations. That said, some treatment options they may recommend include:
- Scaling and root planing for milder cases.
- Gum grafting for some more severe cases.
Gum grafting is a more intense treatment but it is important to consider for severe cases as it works to stabilize gum recession, reduce overall root sensitivity, and enhance the appearance of one’s gums. We use advanced techniques that are gentle and effective.
Contact Triangle Dentistry Raleigh
Here at Triangle Dentistry Raleigh, our expert dental team is equipped and trained to handle everything from routine check-up visits to full-scale treatments to treat even the most severe cases of gum disease and gum recession. We are proud of our reputation for over gentle techniques that are gentle on the patient and will get them the results they desire and need for better overall oral health.
So are you ready to get back on track and enjoy healthier gums, healthier teeth, and a healthier smile? Give our Raleigh team a call today; we are ready to help with all of your receding gum issues.
Triangle Dentistry, located in Raleigh, NC, provides a state-of-the-art facility that offers exceptional general dental and specialty services guided by empathy of a patient’s needs and desires. Services range from dental crowns to veneers and whitening procedures. For further information, questions, or to schedule an appointment, contact the office at (919) 847-6000