Part of having healthy teeth is having healthy gums. While gums don’t get cavities or plaque buildup, they are susceptible to their own issues. One of the most common is gum recession.The cosmetic dentistry experts of Jason L. Downey, DDS Dentistry offer gum recession treatment at their Las Vegas dental office. If you notice your gum line receding, it’s time to talk to your dentist about your options.
What Can Cause Gum Recession?
Gum recession is not caused by any one single factor. There are several scenarios that could prompt your gum line to recede:
- Periodontal Disease: One of the most common causes of gum recession is periodontal disease, which you may also know as gum disease. This happens when bacteria is allowed to build up underneath the gum line, due to a poor dental hygiene routine. Eventually this bacteria buildup causes irritation and inflammation, eating away at gums and eventually the underlying jawbone.
- Brushing Too Hard:This may seem counterintuitive at first – if periodontal disease from poor dental hygiene can cause gum recession, how can vigorous brushing also cause gum recession? Butany restorative dentistry expert will agree that overly enthusiastic brushing can wear at gums, especially when you use a toothbrush with bristles that are too stiff for your dental structure. Brush well, but with care.
- Lip or Tongue Piercings: A lip or tongue piercing may look cool, but the wrong placement can cause constant friction against the gums. Over time, this can cause irritation and lead the gums closest to the piercing to recede. If this is the case, your treatment plan may be as simple as taking the piercing out.
- Teeth Grinding:Bruxism, also known as chronic teeth grinding, can do a lot of damage to your teeth themselves. What you might not know is that bruxism can also cause gums to recede as your teeth shift.
- Heredity: Some people are simply born with thinner or higher gums than normal. If receding gums run in your family, you must take even more precautions to ensure that your gums stay strong and healthy.
These are only a few of the most common causes of gum recession – the problem can also be caused by a wide range of factors, from chewing tobacco to bulimia to a lack of Vitamin C in your diet. Your dentist can assess your lifestyle and determine a definite cause, which can help in shaping a course of treatment.
How Can Gum Recession Be Treated?
How your dentist treats your gum recession depends on the severity and the cause. If you are suffering from mild recession due to overly aggressive brushing, treatment could be as simple as changing your toothbrush. If your gingival recession is severe and caused by periodontal disease, on the other hand, deep cleaning (also called scaling and root planing) could help. Especially severe cases may require a tissue graft, in which soft tissue from another part of the mouth is grafted onto the gums to build a stronger base.
Learn More about Gum Recession Treatment Today
If you have noticed your gum line starting to recede, don’t wait – the sooner you speak to a knowledgeable dentist, the simpler your treatment may be.Contact Jason L. Downey, DDS Dentistry to schedule an appointment and learn more about your options for gum recession treatment today.