Many are frivolous enough to ignore the problem of receding gums. It’s easy to identify it. You’ll start to notice more of the base of your tooth showing as the gum recedes. It gives off the appearance of an elongated tooth.
Some Symptoms of Gum Disease
Many who are dealing with receding gums may also notice the following:
- Their gums bleed when they attempt to floss or brush them
- Swelling in their gums
- A terrible odor on their breath
- Their gum tissue becomes redder or darker
- A feeling of tenderness in the gum tissue
- Their teeth moving or shirting
- Misaligning when they bite
It doesn’t take an expert to tell you that receding gums are often due to the presence of periodontal disease. Statistics back that many adults who are over the age of thirty have some type of periodontal disease. As we age, it becomes increasingly more likely that we’ll suffer from it.
Plaque is the main culprit of periodontal disease. It’s this film of bacteria that covers the teeth and gums to cause an issue. Soon, the fibers that keep the gum in place become inflamed. If we are to go without treatment, pockets may form between each tooth that’ll hide the bacteria. This makes it difficult to remove with normal flossing and brushing.
It’s easy to determine how far gone the instance of periodontal disease is in a person. All that’s needed is a periodontist to measure how deep the pockets are. Some cases are less severe, just like some cases that need more attention. In more severe cases, this inflammation can spread into areas that may cause the tooth to loosen or shirt. The supporting ligaments may lose structure, or the inflammation can possibly make it into the bone. Remember, if this disease is left untreated, you could possibly lose teeth as your gums become more and more inflamed.
Luckily, a wide variety of treatments will help you with your gum recession, thus saving your teeth from becoming harmed. Those with mild cases may be able to combat it by stepping up their home hygiene routine. In cases where the problem is much more severe, it may be time to consider scaling or planing the gums. The process of planing a tooth is a deep cleaning that helps remove plaque that’s deeply embedded into the gum pockets. The surface of the teeth is smoothed out, making it much more difficult for bacteria to stick to.
Some cases of gum disease may be so severe that surgery is needed. This may include grafting the gum or bone.
Reasons Why Your Gum May be Receding
While it’s certainly true that the most common culprit is periodontal disease, there are also other reasons why you may have this affliction:
- It could be due to age
- Some are too harsh when brushing their teeth
- Bad dental hygiene (Not brushing your teeth enough or doing it improperly)
- Neglecting the dentist
- The start of menopause in women
- Smoking (This may also make it much more likely you’ll suffer from periodontal disease)
- Genetic factors
It’s Never a Good Idea to Ignore It
It’s a very bad idea to ignore receding gums. This problem will stay around for a while if it’s not treated and will likely worsen with time. Remember that your gum disease may be so bad that your bone and ligaments get involved. This can cause you to lose a tooth.
Remember that gum health is tied to overall health. Individuals who suffer from periodontal disease may be at a higher risk for a cardiac event, type 2 diabetes, or stroke. It’s possible that inflammation from gum disease was the cause. While it isn’t obvious, more than your gums could be inflamed with this disorder. Gum disease is even known to affect the blood vessels by making them constrict. Those who take the time to properly brush their teeth and see their dentist regularly are not at risk for such problems.
It’s Important to Know
Those with receding gums should be aware that it’s a sign of gum disease; however, it’s not the only cause. Individuals who smoke or do not take the time to brush their teeth properly are also at risk. You should go to your dentist immediately if you begin to suffer from a problem. A dentist may want to refer you to a periodontist with expert knowledge of gum disease. There are many treatments available.
