While some see a healthy smile as sparkling white or straight teeth, the health of your gums are the real marker of oral wellness. When gums are unhealthy, they can cause costly problems for your entire mouth.
One of the most popular problems gums can experience is recession. If you’ve noticed your gums pulling back, here’s what you can do about it.
Signs of Receding Gums
One of the biggest signs of gum recession are teeth that suddenly appear longer. When gums recede, more of your tooth is exposed—sometimes as far back as the root, which can often lead to sensitivity when eating or drinking.
Other signs of gum problems may include:
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Pain
- Oral infection
- Plaque buildup
- Tooth loss
What You Can Do
Fear not—gum recession isn’t hopeless! While gum tissue doesn’t grow back on its own, there are treatments that work to pause recession and ones that can help replace receding tissue.
One of the best ways to stop gum recession in its tracks is to make an appointment for Scaling and Root Planing. Scaling is essentially a deeper clean than a traditional dental visit that can remove plaque and tartar buildup under the gums. Root Planing helps to ensure the roots of your teeth are properly attached to the gums. Scaling and Root Planing are ideal in cases of mild gum recession.
Other options for more severe recession include open flap surgery, regeneration therapy and even soft tissue grafts.
If you suspect receding gums are creeping into your smile, don’t delay—contact our team today to book a visit. When gum problems are detected early, proper treatment can be carried out to stop progression before it worsens.
We look forward to helping you.
