Receding gums can be painful, embarrassing, and concerning. The shrinking gums can stem from various problems and subsequently cause tooth sensitivity or even loose teeth. Thankfully, a professional dental team can help prescribe a gum disease treatment to manage receding gums and the side effects they cause.
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy can help you stay happy and pain-free. The team at Greenwood Dental knows how important it is to have a professional, caring touch for your dental needs. We design personalized dental plans to keep you proud of your pearly whites. Call 855.528.3961 today to schedule an appointment.
Is Gum Disease Making My Gums Recede?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is the most severe reason people have receding gums. This problem requires care from a dentist to keep it from getting worse. If you don’t stop gum disease in its early stages, you could lose teeth.
Stage One of Gum Disease
The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which you can spot by its characteristic inflammation. Your gums will appear red and may bleed during brushing and flossing. Inflamed and bleeding gums are your first warning signs to schedule an evaluation to check for gingivitis.
Stage Two of Gum Disease
Next, the gums pull back from the base of your teeth, allowing bacteria to slip inside the opened gaps. These bacteria can cause infection, which can further cause pain and inflammation. Infection in the gums can cause significant problems if left untreated. Bleeding is almost inevitable when you brush and floss your teeth during this stage.
Stage Three of Gum Disease
If you don’t take care of your gums at stage two, the infection will worsen. At this point, your dentist may need to perform surgery to remove the bacteria and infected tissue. In some cases, you may lose teeth if the disease progresses this far. Your teeth will still bleed if you floss or brush.
The likelihood of losing teeth increases as gum disease gets worse. Additionally, the infection in the gums can quickly move to other parts of the body, which could cause a medical emergency.
Luckily, you can prevent the progression of gum disease with regular dental care and trips to your dentist. Your dentist can offer several services to help prevent and stop gum disease or gum recession.
Other Causes of Gum Recession
While gum disease has the worst outcome, it is not the only cause of receding gums. Age and normal habits in your daily routine may also contribute to your gum recession.
As you get older, your gums may naturally recede. It is essential to maintain good oral hygiene and regularly visit your dentist during this natural recession since infection can be harder to manage as you age.
More causes of receding gums include:
- Brushing too hard – As you press your toothbrush rigidly against your teeth and gums, it may cause irritation that makes the gums recede. Switching to an electric toothbrush can help you adjust how hard you brush.
- Inconsistent brushing or flossing – Daily brushing and flossing are the easiest ways to prevent most dental conditions. Leaving teeth dirty can easily let bacteria and plaque cause problems in the mouth.
- Tobacco use – Smoking cigarettes or using smokeless tobacco not only leaves stains on your teeth but can also cause gums to recede.
- Having misaligned teeth – Teeth that are not properly aligned rub against one another, causing them to wear down. This rubbing also puts stress on your gums and causes gum recession.
- Choosing the wrong toothpaste – Certain types of toothpaste, including whitening types or those with a high volume of fluoride, can cause gum irritation and make the gums recede.
The good news is that receding gums can be reversed if you catch them early. If you notice bleeding or irritation, visit your dentist as soon as possible so they can begin treatment before the problem progresses.
What Can I Do About My Receding Gums?
If you have receding gums, visit your dentist before changing your daily routine. You could need a special cleaning called scaling and root planing to get deep between your teeth.
Regular exams also allow your dentist to spot the early signs of gum recession before you develop sensitivity or other problems. Good dental care is one of the best things you can do to help your gums. Dental services to prevent gum recession include the following:
- Regular dental cleanings
- Dental exams
- Dental x-rays
- Nightguards to stop teeth grinding
- Restorative dentistry to replace lost teeth
- Correcting a misaligned bite
With proper dental care and a focus on gum health, you can prevent gum recession and keep your smile healthy for years to come.
Get Help for Your Receding Gums at Greenwood Dental
Receding gums can cause extensive problems if left untreated, especially if an infection develops. Finding compassionate, professional dental care in Illinois doesn’t have to be complicated.
Greenwood Dental can work with you to develop a comprehensive dental care plan to treat your receding gums and keep your mouth healthy for years to come. Call 855.528.3961 today to make an appointment.
