March 19

Understanding Gum Recession: A Guide to Early Detection


Understanding dental issues is really important because, if you do not get a hold of them on time, they can get really worse, and you will suffer a lot. There are many conditions that people are unaware of, so they do not know how to get started with treatment or diagnose the problem. We absolutely understand that, and in the article below, we are going to talk about one such problem, which is known as Gum Recession.

We know that you are unaware of what gum recession is, how you have to get it treated on time, and what the symptoms are, and that is exactly what we are going to discuss today. We will mention everything relevant to this disease so you can get the hang of it, and if you’re seeing any symptoms, you can get them treated on time.

Gum Recession: What Exactly Is This

Gum recession is a tooth problem that occurs when the gum tissues that completely surround the teeth start to wear away or pull back, exposing the tooth and sometimes even the root of the tooth. It is an extremely common dental problem, but because it happens slowly in people, most of them don’t realize their gums are receding until it gets really serious.

The best thing that you can do is detect it early, at least so you can save your smile and you can avoid all sorts of invasive procedures. Let’s find out what some of the common signs and symptoms are that you have to pay attention to immediately to get rid of this issue.

Common Signs and Symptoms

If people are aware of some of the common signs and symptoms of diseases, they can get early treatment without the disease progressing to a severe level. Let’s find out the common signs and symptoms of gum recession so you can get it fixed before you have to go for invasive procedures. 

  • One of the first things that you may face is sensitivity, which means you will feel a sharp feeling every time you consume something cold or hot. It can also happen when you eat something extremely sweet.
  • If you’re seeing visible differences, which means if you feel like one tooth is looking longer than all the others or as compared to how it looked before, then know it can be a gum recession.
  • If you feel like there is a shelf-like space near your gum, then it is again a sign of gum recession.
  • Another really common sign that you can look for is that the exposed root will be looking a little different in color. It may start to look really dark or sometimes yellow compared to the enamel. You should definitely not avoid this sign because after this this situation can get really severe.
  • If you have persistent bleeding in your teeth and you feel like they are swollen, then this again can be a sign of gum recession. Not only that, but if you feel your gums are bleeding while you’re brushing and flossing, it can be a sign.

These are some of the most common signs and symptoms that you will have to pay attention to if you want to avoid a gum recession reaching a severe stage. 

What Causes Gum Recession?

When it comes to dental diseases, there are definitely certain causes because of which the problem. The same is the case with this problem, and it is extremely important to know the root cause because that is the first step in deciding how to treat gum recession. Let’s get to know what causes gum recession

  • One of the first causes of this disease is any periodontal problem, which means bacterial gum infections that destroy the tissue as well as the supporting bone. 
  • Most people are unaware of the fact that if you’re brushing too hard or you are using a toothbrush that has hard bristles, it can also wear away your enamel and push the gums back. You should always use a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid getting into any such problem.
  • One of the most common causes of gum recession is also inadequate brushing or letting the plaque turn into tartar by not flossing properly. It can only be removed by a professional, so you will have to be really careful with regular brushing and flossing.
  • Another common cause that most people are unaware of is that fluctuations in your hormones can also make your gums sensitive and can cause recession.
  • Lastly, if you smoke a lot or chew tobacco, it can create a sticky plaque that is extremely difficult to remove from the gums, and it also damages your gum health severely.

All these are the most common causes of gum recession, and if you avoid all these things, then you can also avoid this problem. It is important to be regular with brushing, but at the same time, it is important to make sure you are following a healthy lifestyle to avoid recession.

Gum Recession Treatment Options

Once you have understood the cause, you definitely want to know the treatment for receding gums. There are different approaches that can be taken by your dentist, some of which include

  • Deep cleaning the teeth by different methods, like scaling and root planing, to completely remove the tartar and clean the root area thoroughly.
  • There are also some antimicrobial mouthwashes that you can use to cover the exposed roots and reduce the sensitivity to a great extent.
  • There are also surgical interventions that can be taken in case the dentist has to take the tissue from somewhere else to cover the root. But this only happens when the situation has gotten really severe, and you have no other solution to get rid of it.

Gum Recession Remedies & Prevention

Well, we were talking about gum recession, we cannot forget to talk about some of the Gum recession remedies that you can focus on. It is not possible to regrow the gum tissue, but you can definitely stop the progression

  • The first thing that you can do is to switch to an electric brush because it has pressure sensors and you will definitely not be over-brushing your teeth.
  • Another thing that you can do is use toothbrushes that have extremely soft bristles so they do not end up damaging your teeth and so you can avoid this problem.
  • With everything else, you should always use saltwater rinses because they can help soothe the inflamed gums and they will also help in reducing bacteria.
  • Last yet one of the most important things that you can do is see a dentist every six months. This way you can find out all the early signs and symptoms of this disease and you can get it fixed before it gets really serious and you have to switch to surgery.

One thing that you would have to pay attention to is that if you notice any sort of gap forming between your teeth, this is also one of the most common signs of gum recession. You should not wait for any pain to come before booking your check-up, and so you should always visit a dentist right on time.

In Summary

Gum recession is one of the most common problems because people do not take their dental health seriously, and so they have to face this problem. There are small steps that you can take to avoid gum recession, like brushing your teeth properly, not smoking, and visiting your dentist every now and then.

Having said all of that, if you’re looking forward to visiting a dentist but you do not know who to connect with then you can definitely get in touch with us at Montclair Dental Spa. Our dentists will thoroughly check your teeth for any signs and symptoms of gum recession and treat you accordingly.

FAQs

How to fix the gum recession​?

There are different ways to fix gum recession, some of which include visiting a dentist and getting professional procedures like scaling. If the problem has gotten really severe, there are also surgical procedures like gum grafting. 

What does gum recession look like​?

Gum recession is really difficult to recognize because it happens slowly. If you start to feel like your gum is a little more visible than normal or there are black triangles, then know that it is a sign of gum recession.

How can I recognize the early signs of a gum recession?

If your teeth have gotten really sensitive and you feel extremely hot, cold, or sweet on any specific tooth, then know that it is one of the major signs of receding gums, and you should immediately visit a dentist.

What are the treatment options for receding gums?

Some of the treatment options for receding gums include getting scaling done by a professional. There is also a treatment known as bonding for aesthetic purposes, and when you are feeling extra sensitivity in your teeth. Gum grafting is also another traditional and extremely common treatment for receding gums.


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At Montclair Dental Spa, our experienced, dedicated team of professionals will work with you to determine the best treatment plans for your unique needs. We take pride in helping our patients achieve their goals. Contact us today to learn more!


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