Are your teeth becoming more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures? Are your teeth roots exposed? If your gum tissue red and inflamed? If so, you could be suffering from gum recession. This condition is characterized by gums that pull away from the teeth and reveal the roots. Left untreated, recession can lead to other serious health issues, including mobility and tooth loss. At Metropolitan Dental Care, our specialists provide oral surgery in Denver for patients suffering from gum recession. Today, we will explore the causes, symptoms and treatments for this condition so you can be well-informed of your options.
What Causes Gum Recession?
There are lots of reasons why gum recession can occur. While many patients simply have a genetic predisposition, some develop recession from poor oral health habits. Some of the most common reasons for recession include:
- Aggressive tooth brushing
- Poor dental hygiene
- Gum disease
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Misalignment
- Oral piercings
- Tobacco use
Symptoms of Gum Recession
Generally, it isn’t difficult to spot gum recession. The gum line dips down in the affected area, revealing the teeth roots underneath. In addition, the gum tissue may become red, swollen, or tender. Your gums may even bleed when you brush. In many cases, patients also experience heightened temperature sensitivity when recession is present.
Oftentimes, patients put off treating recession. However, it is important to address the condition as soon as possible. When the gums recede, the bone levels follow suit. Therefore, untreated recession can quickly lead to mobility and tooth loss.
Nonsurgical Treatments for Gum Recession
Mild recession may be treatable with nonsurgical intervention. If caught early enough, your doctor can place composite resin bonding over the exposed teeth roots to protect the cementum from decay and erosion. However, if the recession is more severe, this type of treatment can actually exacerbate the recession, making your gums retreat more and more. During a consultation at our practice, we can let you know if nonsurgical treatments are right for you.
Correct Gum Recession with Oral Surgery in Denver
If your gum recession is moderate to severe, then your doctor will most likely recommend oral surgery in Denver. At Metropolitan Dental Care, we offer various types of gum grafting to address recession and make the gum line healthy once more.
During a gum grafting procedure, a piece of tissue is placed in the area where you are deficient. This graft is either obtained from the patient’s palate (autogenous), another human source (allograft), or an animal source (xenograft). Both allografts and xenografts are purchased from a bone and tissue bank. The type of graft performed will entirely depend on your unique situation.
How to Prevent Gum Recession
To prevent gum recession, patients should practice good oral hygiene habits and avoid brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush. Additionally, we recommend eating a well-balanced diet, full of essential vitamins and nutrients. Most importantly, avoid tobacco products at all costs. If you smoke, now is the perfect time to quit.
Learn More about Oral Surgery in Denver
Are you noticing warning signs of recession? If so, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Metropolitan Dental Care, serving Denver, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Parker, and Centennial. Our team of experts is standing by to help you take the next step to healthier teeth and gums. To learn more, contact us online or give us a call at 303-534-2626.
