Receding gums is as much a cosmetic issue as a dental one. Receding gums indicate a loss of hard and soft tissue around teeth which may result in tooth loss. There are different reasons to receding gums. Proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist should help prevent receding gums.
However, you might already be dealing with receding gums. Depending on your specific condition, if you’re considering gum recession surgery in Rochester to restore tissue loss, there are a few different treatment options to choose from.
But before that, it’s important to understand the causes of a receding gum line and how to prevent it from progressing over time.
What Do Receding Gums Look Like?
Healthy gums have enough tissue to cover your tooth’s root to keep it safe from infection and normal bacteria build-up in your mouth. Unhealthy or receding gums give your teeth the appearance of being long due to less tissue along your gum line covering the surface of your tooth.
In extreme cases, gum recession can be so severe it exposes your tooth’s root.
What Causes a Receding Gum Line?
There are various reasons you can experience a receding gum line. From poor oral health to injury, here are a few of the most common causes of receding gums:
- Poor oral health habits
- Plaque and tartar build-up
- Thin gum tissue or inflammation of the gum tissue
- The natural aging process
- Smoking or using tobacco
- Injury to your gum tissue from an accident, ill-fitting dentures, or a dental procedure
- Periodontal disease
- Diabetes
Additional risk factors include:
- Orthodontic brackets and appliances
- Brushing too roughly with a hard or medium-bristle brush
- Your genetics
- Neglecting routine dental cleanings at your dentist or periodontist’s office
Will Receding Gums Grow Back?
Unfortunately, once your gums begin to recede, there is no treatment for receding gums to repair themselves. That’s because your gum tissue doesn’t grow back as other tissues do. For example, when you injure yourself, your epidermis regenerates to create scar tissue.
However, there are ways to prevent your receding gum line from progressing, and effective treatment options for gum recession do exist.
Effective Treatment for Receding Gums
Effective treatment options for your receding gums will differ depending on the severity of your condition. While practicing stronger oral health habits or visiting your dental professional for tooth scaling and root planing can treat gums that have just begun to recede, a surgical option may be needed to repair the gum line for prominent recessions.
Better Oral Health Routines
Proper oral health care is the first step in preventing a receding gum line. Brushing twice a day for at least four minutes each time and flossing twice a day can keep bacteria build-up at bay.
Additionally, using a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush is better than a medium or hard-bristled option. Lastly, scheduling yourself for periodontal cleanings can help prevent gum recession from progressing past the point of being treatable.
Periodontal Surgeries and Gum Grafts
Depending on the severity of your condition, there are different surgical options for a receding gum line.
Connective Tissue Graft
A connective tissue graft can replace the recessed tissue if your tooth’s root is exposed. This is done by making a small incision in the roof of your mouth and collecting soft tissue from underneath the flap created. The tissue removed is then stitched to your existing gum tissue to protect your tooth’s exposed root.
Free Gingival Graft
Another common surgical option is a free gingival graft. This procedure is very similar to the connective tissue graft, except that the tissue is taken from the roof of your mouth rather than underneath a flap cut into it. A free gingival graft is most effective for patients with thin gums that lead to a receding gum line in the first place. However, this procedure requires that more tissue is cut from the roof of your mouth due to the advanced stage of gum recession necessary for this surgery. A free gingival graft is not suitable for areas that need aesthetic results.
Pedicle Graft
If you have enough healthy gum tissue around your teeth, a pedicle graft is a great option. Rather than making an incision in the roof of your mouth and collecting tissue from it to stitch to your existing gum tissue, this procedure uses the healthy gums surrounding your teeth to cover your receding gum line.
Explore Safe and Effective Gum Recession Surgery Rochester Patients Trust
Not only will gum recession surgery give you your confidence back, but it can also help you relieve pain or discomfort from a receding gum line. If you are considering gum recession surgery in Rochester, schedule an appointment with Dental Implants and Periodontal Health Rochester. 585-685-2005
