Bad Breath: You Don't Have to Live with It

Gum recession occurs when your gums pull away or retract from your teeth. It can increase your risk for dental decay and lead to tooth sensitivity when you brush your teeth, eat, and drink. Receding gums expose the roots of your teeth and it can affect all your teeth or a single tooth. Your dentist will develop a gum recession treatment plan based on the severity of your condition and other factors. Here are some causes and symptoms of gum recession and some treatment options to consider.

Causes And Symptoms

Receding gums can be caused by brushing your teeth too hard, poor oral hygiene, crooked teeth, an abnormal bite, smoking, and the excessive buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth and under your gum line. Further, some people may be predisposed to gum recession because of genetics or a family history of receding gums.

Dental injuries and periodontal disease can also raise your risk of developing receding gums. While these risk factors can raise your risk for gum recession, they can develop in people with no known risk factors. In addition to tooth sensitivity, symptoms of gum recession may include exposure of the roots of your teeth, toothaches, bad breath, bleeding gums, and loose teeth. If gum recession is not treated, it may lead to tooth loss. 

Gum Recession Treatments

Dentists can apply fluoride treatments to the teeth to help decrease dental sensitivity associated with gum recession. Brushing your teeth with toothpaste made for sensitive teeth can also help reduce sensitivity related to your receding gums. Dentists also recommend numbing gels to help relieve sensitivity and gum pain associated with gum recession. However, if periodontal pockets have formed around your teeth as a result of your receding gums, your dentist may recommend antibiotics if the pockets contain pus.

When pus forms under the gums and inside the periodontal pockets, it means that you have a bacterial infection. To augment the antimicrobial effects of oral antibiotics, your dentist may also prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash to eliminate the infection and promote the healing process. If your receding gums do not respond to conservative treatments, your dentist may recommend gum flap surgery to deep clean the areas underneath your gums. When flap surgery is warranted, dentists typically refer their patients to periodontists who are dentists that specialize in treating gum disease.

If you develop symptoms of gum recession, make an appointment with your dentist. Once your dentist performs a comprehensive examination and confirms your diagnosis, they will recommend a treatment plan based on the severity of your gum recession, your overall state of dental health, and your personal preferences.

For more info, contact a local dentist.