Bone and tissue: A perfect symbiosis
With healthy teeth, the gums enclose each individual tooth tightly, so that the sensitive tooth necks are protected as best as possible. On the other hand, if the gums recede, the necks of the teeth are exposed and the risk of diseases such as periodontitis and caries increases enormously.
Patients who suffer from receding gums complain about pain-sensitive teeth and pain in the roof of the mouth as well as in the lip or tongue area. Reddened and swollen gums are also a sign of gum recession or periodontal diseases. Bad breath and bad breath are other side effects that can occur as a result of receding gums. Reason enough not to let it get that far in the first place and to prevent gum recession as much as possible.
Causes of receding gums
Even laypeople can clearly recognize receding gums: the gums continue to recede so that the exposed necks of the teeth become visible. Unfortunately, this receding gums cannot be reversed. It is all the more important to prevent this as much as possible and to maintain healthy gums.
The causes of receding gums are complex. The most common cause is poor or incorrect oral hygiene. So make sure you brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Don’t forget to deep clean the spaces between your teeth.
A mild gum recession can also be caused by harmful bacteria. But if it not treated correctly or at the right time, it may even come to bone loss.
It is also recommended that you have your teeth professionally cleaned at least once a year. During professional teeth cleaning, stubborn deposits are removed and all areas of the mouth are cleaned where you cannot reach even with a toothbrush.
Poor dental care does not necessarily mean that you brush your teeth too infrequently. Pressing down too hard when brushing your teeth or using a toothbrush that is too hard can also promote receding gums.
The same applies to an unhealthy diet: Anyone who only eats fast food, lots of sugar and only a few vitamins has been shown to be more likely to struggle with receding gums. Congenital misaligned teeth and nighttime teeth grinding are other risk factors, as is nicotine consumption. There is the possibility of getting a gum disease caused by vaping or smoking.
Some patients also have a genetic predisposition. When the gingiva is very thin and fragile, gum recession occurs more quickly. Hormonal changes can also lead to receding gums. During pregnancy or menopause, women are more prone to receding gums and inflammation.
Prevent receding gums
To a certain extent, you can definitely prevent receding gums.
- First of all, pay close attention to your dental and oral hygiene, but without overdoing it. Don’t forget the spaces between your teeth. Especially with crooked teeth, bridges or crowns you have to clean them thoroughly with an interdental brush or dental floss. It is also better to use a soft bristled toothbrush.
- Also important in this context: Make sure you attend the regular check-ups at the dentist. In this way, receding gums can be recognized in good time. You should have your teeth professionally cleaned at least once a year.
- Last but not least: Eat as healthily as possible and refrain from smoking. Like poor oral hygiene, nicotine is bad for dental health and a risk factor for receding gums.
Consequences of receding gums
If the gums recede, the necks of the teeth are exposed. These become significantly more sensitive. Bleeding gums can occur when brushing your teeth. In the worst case, even the root of the tooth is exposed.
Bacteria and germs then have an easy time and can settle here unhindered. This, in turn, can cause tooth decay or gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums. Inflammation of the gums, in turn, can have far-reaching consequences; in the worst case, the entire periodontium is affected.
Chronic gingivitis can in turn develop into periodontitis, which severely affects the bone. Receding gums can therefore cause numerous other diseases in the oral cavity, which in the worst case end with the complete loss of teeth.
What to do if gums recede
As soon as you notice the first signs of gum recession, your dentist is the right person to contact. Visiting the dentist is important, because the sooner receding gums are recognized, the best-case scenario is that they can be stopped in good time.
If there is receding gums and exposed tooth necks, the dentist measures the depth of the pockets with the probe. Unfortunately, gums do not grow back on their own. An existing receding gums can therefore not be reversed.
But there is another possibility: If the gums have already receded a lot, a gum transplant is advisable. It can stop further receding gums. It is also often used from an aesthetic point of view, because with exposed tooth necks, the teeth appear longer and less attractive.
The treatment for receding gums depends on the severity of the disease. The dentist can tell how far the disease has progressed by measuring the depth of the periodontal pockets.
Then he will advise you to have your teeth professionally cleaned. During this, the number of bacteria in the oral cavity is reduced. It may then be necessary to administer an additional antibiotic.
If there is periodontitis, the dentist cleans the gum pockets and removes all deposits before the affected areas are rinsed and disinfected. Incidentally, the costs for such periodontal treatment are covered by statutory health insurance if the periodontal pockets are at least 3.5 millimeters deep.
Treatment at Cosmedicadental
We at Cosmedicadental not only offer you various dental treatments such as veneers, lumineers, dental implants, dental crowns, tooth whitening and Invisaligns. You are also welcome to contact us if you have receding gums!
Our dental clinic in Turkey is equipped with the latest technology and we offer you a professional service. We are pleased to be able to offer you the latest technologies and welcome you with qualified specialist staff. The satisfaction of our patients is our top priority!