Periodontal recession (which is gum recession) is when your gum is loss by the collar of teeth and then your root is exposed. The exposure happens usually because of retraction of the gingival tissue. In this blog, we will learn about how to treat gum recession and its’ symptoms.
After your root is exposed, your teeth will look a lot longer because there is less gum which is covering the rest of your teeth. In case there is a loss of alveolar bone, then the recession is referred to periodontal recession.
Symptoms
The recession of gums are not that noticeable at first as it takes a very long time to get to that point where you can see the root. It might take even years, so it’s unlikely that you will notice any changes in days or weeks until some symptoms appear:
- Dark spaces appear between your teeth near the gum
- Your teeth appear to be longer because of the gum recession
- Tooth sensitivity to cold, hot, sweet and spicy foods
- The line between the tooth and its root becomes visible, you can even feel It with your tongue or finger
- There is also a small color difference on a collar of the tooth because the enamel and a dentin of the root has two different colors
How to Treat Gum Recession
Try to eliminate provoking factors such as:
- Traumatic brushing
- Poor oral hygiene
- Teeth grinding
- Smoking
- Chewing tobacco
- Bulimia
- Dry mouth
- Piercings on your lips or anywhere in your mouth
You need to avoid these factors as much as possible. To treat your gum recession, improve on your daily brushing and flossing. Also, you will need to have regular dental checkups and cleanings. If the brushing is too traumatic, you will need to modify it. Try buying a new brush with soft or extra-soft bristles. You will to clean your gums gently without forcing too hard.
Patients which are suffering from periodontal disease should be treated by curettage or by other treatments depending on the severity. If bruxism is causing the recession, you must reduce the grinding. If tooth grinding occurs during daytime, you can be conscious about it and avoid putting your teeth in contact with each other.
