Regain A Healthy Gumline

Gingival (gum) recession is a condition in which the margin of the gums surrounding the teeth begin to pull back, exposing more of the tooth’s root structure. It is a very common condition for adults, especially those over the age of 40. Although gum recession can be quite common, it should be taken seriously. It can cause a number of problems including tooth decay, sensitivity, a compromised appearance, bone loss, and even possible tooth loss. Often times, recession can occur due to overly aggressive tooth brushing, periodontal disease, genetics, teeth grinding or clenching, and even tongue jewelry.

receding gums before and after

Gum Recession Causes & Treatment (The Pinhole Technique!)

Receding gums can be a sign of a larger problem

Gum Recession - Gum recession is a condition that occurs gradually. It is often referred to as becoming ‘long in the tooth’. Many times it goes unrecognized or untreated until the teeth become sensitive or the smile begins to look less attractive. Lucky, there are several ways to treat gingival recession.

Treatment - A new technique called the Pinhole Surgical Technique can successfully treat gingival recession. This technique is a sophisticated way to move receding gingiva back into place without grafting surgery. It provides adequate root coverage and generally doesn’t require any cutting, stitching, or downtime following the procedure.

Gingival recession is best treated early on. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity or have noticed your teeth looking longer, you should contact a periodontist in your area to have it treated before the gum recession worsens.

receding gums before and after

We Treat Them All

Gum recession has a variety of causes:

Periodontal Disease
Genetics
Brushing Technique
Poor Dental Hygiene
Hormones
Tobacco Product Use
Bruxism
Crooked or Misaligned Teeth
Oral Piercings
Orthodontics
dental-patient-brushing-teeth
gum-recession-model

Causes of gum recession

There are many possible causes for your gum recession, but none of them should be ignored. When your gums start to wear away, “pockets” begin to form between your gums and your teeth. These spaces are the perfect environment for disease-causing bacteria to form and colonize, which can lead to the development of periodontal disease. Dr. Joseph Nemeth is a periodontist in Southeast Michigan that can diagnose and treat your periodontal disease to get your healthy smile back.

Periodontal disease can also lead to eventual tooth and bone loss. Without teeth in their proper place, other teeth can start to move and drift causing spaces to open between your teeth. You can also experience difficulty chewing. Studies have shown that periodontal disease plays a role in exacerbating other systemic health issues, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer.

What causes gum recession?

Poor oral hygiene.

Not brushing effectively will not remove all of the disease-causing bacteria and brushing too aggressively can wear away your gums and even your teeth.

Gum disease

A build-up of bacteria that destroys soft tissue and bone.

Using tobacco products

Smoking and chewing tobacco cause excessive plaque build-up that can be very difficult to clean off.

Genetics

You might be predisposed to gum disease no matter how well you brush.

Crowded or crooked teeth

Teeth that do not align properly become traumatized over time and their surrounding gum tissue can wear away.

Grinding or clenching teeth

Grinding your teeth can also lead to your gum line wearing away.

Body piercing

Constant friction of a metal piercing will wear away soft tissue and gums.

Hormonal changes

The hormone increase that occurs with pregnant and menopausal woman can make the gums more sensitive.

How to prevent receding gums

Some of the options Dr. Nemeth suggests to prevent further gum recession include:

Wearing a night bite guard. This will protect your teeth and jaw from the wear caused by grinding your teeth together, which mostly occurs at night while we sleep.
Seek treatment for crowded or crooked teeth. Teeth that do not meet properly or that are unnaturally pressing against each other can cause the surrounding gums to wear away.
Brush your teeth correctly. Brushing incorrectly or too aggressively can cause your gum tissue to wear away and even damage your teeth.
Break bad habits. Smoking, chewing tobacco, or chewing other foreign objects can be very damaging to your teeth and gums.