Six Problems Caused By Gum Recession

Mission Implant Center

88 percent of AmericansΒ above the age of 65 suffer from gum recession. This means that this periodontal condition is neither uncommon nor new for dentists in Mission Viejo.

While it’s easy to get dental treatment for gum recession by visiting a skilled dentist in Mission Viejo, many patients don’t do the needful until it’s too late. And there comes a time when problems caused by gum recession become too difficult to manage without surgical methods.

So if you’re suffering from gum recessionΒ and want immediate solutions to prevent your gums from worsening, here’s a blog you should read.

 

A patient getting dental checkup

What is Gum Recession?

Gum recession is a periodontal condition in which a person’s gum recedes backward, thus exposing the roots and dental bone. Gum recession occurs due to various factors and is not curable. However, there are dental treatmentsΒ that help manage a patient’s condition and improve their oral health.

Causes of Gum Recession

Here are some of the causes of gum recession.

  1. Poor Oral Hygiene
  2. Use of Tobacco or Smoking
  3. Age and Dental Problems
  4. Rigorous Brushing
  5. Misaligned Teeth
  6. Braces or Piercings
  7. Trauma and Dental Injuries
  8. Genetic Factors

A patient’s mouth close-up

Six Problems Caused by Gum Recession

Gum recession, if left untreated, can cause numerous oral health problems. Here are some of the troubles that await you if you skip going to a dental clinicΒ for your gum recession treatment.

Increased Sensitivity

Because the gums leave their place and the roots are exposed, people with gum recession report a heightened sensitivity in their gums. This means that hot and cold temperatures, as well as chewing, can become a painful experience.

Vulnerability to Cavities

Because of the exposed roots and bone surrounding a receded gum, you’re more likely to build up cavities. Cavity on its own is a serious dental condition that requires immediate periodontal treatment.

Dental Bone Loss

Gum recession also causes a person to lose their bone mass, volume, and density. This dental bone lossΒ can negatively impact a person’s aesthetic, oral health, and jawbone strength.

Pain and Discomfort

People with gum recessionΒ often report difficulty in eating and chewing. The constant pain and discomfort caused by gum recession are often the first notable signs of the condition’s onset.

Woman holding an icepack near her face

Tooth Mobility

If you feel your tooth is wiggly and moving from its place, you’re most likely suffering from gum recession. As the gums recede and leave a hollow space around the tooth bone, the tooth can get weakened from its foundation.

Permanent Loss of Tooth

If left unattended for a long time, gum recession can lead to permanent tooth loss. While a dental implantΒ is a solution for tooth loss, it’s often costly. You can, however, avoid permanent tooth loss caused by gum recession by opting for immediate treatment.

Treatment of Gum Recession

Gum recession can be treated and managed through non-surgical, surgical, and minimally invasive techniques such as pinhole surgery. Read more about it here.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Non-surgical treatments for gum recession include topical antibiotics, scaling, orthodontic procedures, and dental bonding. These treatments are usually the first line of action to prevent gum recession from worsening.

Surgical Treatments

Gum recessionΒ surgeries are also a common way to treat this periodontal condition. An oral surgeon will take a gum graft (procured from the patient’s roof of the mouth) and place it in the affected area. Once the graft is in the right position, the dentist will close the area with sutures. Gum grafting surgeries are usually successful and long-lasting.

 

A patient and dentist in the clinic

Pinhole Surgery Technique

With the advent of modern dentistry, non-invasive methods such as pinhole surgery have also become popular to treat gum recession. Through PST, an oral surgeon in Mission ViejoΒ will use collagen to fill in the vacuum caused by gum recession and close the area without sutures. This procedure is ideal for patients with a high low pain threshold and dental phobia.

How to Prevent Gum Recession

It’s understood that it’s impossible to prevent gum recession in certain cases, such as genetic predisposition. However, here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing this condition:

  1. Maintain adequate oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day.
  2. Visit your dental clinicregularly for dental checkups and cleaning. This will help avoid the buildup of tartar and plague.
  3. Avoid smoking and the use of tobacco to further bring down your risk.
  4. If you have genetically thin gums, consult a dentist periodically to assess your periodontal pockets.

For Gum RecessionΒ Treatment in Mission Viejo, Call Us!

If you’re on the lookout for an experienced dentist in Mission Viejo, then get in touchΒ with us at Mission Dental Implant Center. We offer treatments for gum recessionΒ through pinhole surgery in Mission Viejo. We also offer Cosmetic Crown Lengthening mission viejoΒ with laser dentistryΒ and same-day periodontist mission viejo.

Book an appointment here.

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