If you’ve ever noticed that your smile appears uneven or disproportionate, the reason behind that may be a condition known as gum recession. There are a few causes of gum recession, including gum disease, which causes gum tissue to peel away from tooth surfaces and recede. This leaves the exposed tooth roots susceptible to further infection and decay. Therefore, it’s vital to take action as soon as possible on any signs of gum disease, such as gum recession in Rochester, to safeguard your long-term oral health.
Do You Need Gum Recession Care?
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the gum line by bacteria, which are always present in your mouth. As plaque forms around the gum line, it provides a way for bacteria to reach below it and infect the soft tissue underneath. As the tissue is damaged, it begins to recede. This creates pockets that allow even more bacteria to thrive. When gum recession occurs, you may notice an increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods, as the tissue is no longer there to protect the tooth.
The worsening thing is that you may or may not notice any visible recession. This is because the process can take place over a long period. That said, determining whether you require gum recession care is the first step. Ideally, you should see a periodontist about signs of gum disease before such a more advanced symptom is present. That said, gum recession is more common than you might think, with half of people between 18 and 64 having one or more sites with recession.[1]
Treatments for Gum Recession in Rochester
Ideally, gum disease will be identified and treated before gum recession treatment is necessary. During the early stages of gum disease, simple oral hygiene and lifestyle changes are often enough to reverse the condition. Still, if gum recession takes hold, you will likely require gum surgery to resolve the issue.
Treatment for receding gums often involves a tissue graft. This procedure involves taking soft tissue from one location and applying it to the gums to compensate for lost tissue and restore the gum line.
There are several different types of gum grafting procedures:
- Connective Tissue Graft: Takes soft tissue from under the surface of the roof of the mouth
- Free Gingival Graft: Takes tissue directly from the surface of the roof of the mouth; isn’t suitable for visible areas of the smile
- Pedicle Graft: Brings healthy gum tissue from the adjacent tooth to the affected area to restore the receded gum line
Nevertheless, many individual factors go into determining which of these treatment options is suitable for you.
Protecting Your Gums in the Long Term
After treatment for your gum recession in Rochester, your periodontist will also provide instructions to help avoid a reoccurrence in the future. Following that advice and keeping up with good oral hygiene and routine checkups can help you avoid the long-term impacts of gum disease.
If gum disease continues to progress, you could find yourself dealing with tooth loss. Additionally, there is a reduced likelihood of being a candidate for dental implants. This means you might not have access to the best options for tooth replacement in such a scenario.
Find the Care You Need to Deal With Gum Recession
When you’re experiencing gum recession or other signs of gum disease, it is undoubtedly in your best interests to learn more about your treatment options as soon as possible. Letting gum disease progress will only lead to the need for more drastic intervention and could even end in serious complications such as tooth loss.
The team at Dental Implants & Periodontal Health of Rochester can evaluate your needs and develop a plan to treat your gum disease and resolve issues such as gum recession. We offer a wide range of therapies and procedures. Schedule your consultation today, or call 585-685-2005 to get started.
Sources:
[1] https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)61986-3/fulltext