GINGIVAL RECESSION
GINGIVAL
RECESSION
In dentistry, gingival
recession (receding
gums) is the exposure in the roots
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of the teeth caused
by a loss of gum tissue and/or
retraction of the gingival margin from
the crown of the teeth.
Gum
recession is a common problem in adults over the age of 40, but it
may also occur starting from the teens.
It may exist with or without concomitant decrease in crown-to-root ratio (recession
of alveolar bone).
CAUSES
OF GINGIVAL RECESSION:
There
are a number of factors that can cause your gums to
recede, including:
- Periodontal diseases. These are bacterial gum infections that destroy gum tissue and supporting bone that hold your teeth in place. Gum disease is the main cause of gum recession.
- Your genes. Some people may be more susceptible to gum disease. In fact,studies show that 30% of the population may be predisposed to gumdisease, regardless of how well they care for their teeth.
- Aggressive tooth brushing. If you brush your teeth too hard or the wrong way, it can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear away and your gums to recede.
- Insufficient dental care. Inadequate brushing and flossing makes it easy for plaque to turn into calculus ( tartar), a hard substance that can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. This can build up on and in between the teeth causing gum recession.
- Hormonal changes. Fluctuations in female hormone levels during a woman's lifetime, such as in puberty, pregnancy and menopause, can make gums more sensitive and more vulnerable to gum recession.
- Tobacco. Tobacco users are more likely to have sticky plaque on their teeth that is difficult to remove, which can cause gum recession.
- Grinding and clenching your teeth. Clenching or grinding your teeth can put too much force on the teeth, causing gums to recede.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes are around three times more likely to develop gum disease than those without diabetes.
- Crooked teeth or a misalinged teeth. When teeth do not come together evenly, too much force can be placed on the gums and bone, allowing gums to recede.
- Body piercing of the lip or tongue. Jewellery can rub the gums and irritate them to the point that gum tissue is worn away.
SYMPTOMS
OF GINGIVAL RECESSION:
Gum recession is generally not an acute condition. In most cases, receding of gums is a progressive condition that occurs gradually over the years. This is one reason that it is common over the age of 40. Because the changes in the condition of the gums from one day to another are minimal, patients get used to the gums' appearance and tend not to notice the recession visually. Receding gums may remain unnoticed until the condition starts to cause symptoms.
The
following signs and symptoms may indicate gum recession:
- Tooth mobility.
- Dentine hypersensitivity(over-sensitive teeth) - short, sharp pain is triggered by hot, cold, sweet, sour, or spicy food and drink. If the cementum covering the root is not protected anymore by the gums, it is easily abraded exposing the dentin tubules to external stimuli.
- Teeth may also appear longer than normal (a larger part of the crown is visible if gums are receding)
- The roots of the tooth are exposed and visible
- The tooth feels notched at the gum line
- Change in the tooth’s color (due to the color difference between enamel and cementum)
- Spaces between teeth seem to grow (the space is the same, but it seems larger because the gums do not fill it any more)
- Cavities below the gum line
If
the gum recession is caused by gingivitis,
the following symptoms may also be present:
- Puffy, red, or swollen (inflamed) gums
- Gum bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Bad breath (halitosis)
In
some cases, it is the treatment of gingivitis that reveals a gum
recession problem, that was previously masked by the gums swelling.
GINGIVAL
RECESSION TREATMENTS:
There
are a few different types of approaches to the treatment of receded
gums, and each one depends on the cause of the gum recession as well
as the severity. Some of the treatments are more proactive to help
avoid aggressive recession, while others are the only ones available
for severe cases.
Laser
Treatments and Periodontal Therapy
–
Utilizing periodontal therapy through your dentist can help eliminate
the deep bacteria that cause gum tissue to detach from the tooth.
Some dentists will also offer laser therapy to help sanitize the
pocket area of bacteria, so that the disease process is halted. When
diseased areas are cleaned and maintained properly, it is possible
for some gingival tissue to re-connect with the tooth surface,
preventing further recession.
Tobacco
Cessation
–
There’s never been a better time to kick the habit. No matter if
it’s smoking or dip tobacco, giving up the habit will not only save
you money, it will also save your gum tissue. Gum tissue will have
better circulation and less irritation, keeping it tighter around the
root.
UltraBlu Toothbrush –
By utilizing UltraBlu’s blue light technology, you can target the
bacteria that causes infected gum tissue that leads to receding gums.
With daily use of the UltraBlu toothbrush you allow your gingival
tissue the time it needs to re-connect with the tooth surface, which
in turn prevents further gum recession.
Soft
Toothbrushing–
Using a soft bristled toothbrush (preferably electric, as these
remove more bacteria), angle the brush toward the gums and gently
cleanse the area twice each day. Aggressive brushing or brushes that
have stiff bristles will cause recession to become more severe, while
soft brushing will help maintain healthy gum levels.
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SURICAL
TREATMENTS:
The
following surgical procedures are used to treat gum recession:
Pocket
depth reduction: During
this procedure, the dentist or periodontist (gum doctor) folds back
the affected gum tissue, removes the harmful bacteria from the
pockets, and then snugly secures the gum tissue in place over the
tooth root, thus eliminating the pockets or reducing their size.
Regeneration:
If the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed as a
result of gum recession, a procedure to regenerate lost bone and
tissue may be recommended. As in pocket depth reduction, your dentist
will fold back the gum tissue and remove the bacteria. A regenerative
material, such as a membrane, graft tissue, or tissue-stimulating
protein, will then be applied to encourage your body to naturally
regenerate bone and tissue in that area. After the regenerative
material is put in place, the gum tissue is secured over the root of
the tooth or teeth.
Soft
tissue graft:There
are several types of gum tissue graft procedures, but the most
commonly used one is called a connective tissue graft. In this
procedure, a flap of skin is
cut at the roof of your mouth (palate) and tissue from under the
flap, called subepithelial connective tissue, is removed and then
stitched to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed root. After the
connective tissue -- the graft -- has been removed from under the
flap, the flap is stitched back down. During another type of graft,
called free gingival graft, tissue is taken directly from the roof of
the mouth instead of under the skin. Sometimes, if you have enough
gum tissue surrounding the affected teeth, the dentist is able to
graft gum from near the tooth and not remove tissue from the palate.
This is called a pedicle graft.
Your
dentist can determine the best type of procedure to use on you based
on your individual needs.
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