Gum recession is the most subtle of warning signs that something isn’t right in your mouth. As the gums, or scientifically called gingiva, pull away from tooth structures, they can expose tooth roots, create perio pockets (gaps between gums and teeth which allow bacteria to form decay within them), and can eventually result in bone and tooth loss. Gum recession is an early warning sign for periodontal disease (gum disease). The Center for Disease Control states that nearly 48% of 30 plus year olds have some form of the disease. Often, tooth sensitivity is the only symptom patients have of gum recession, although elongated teeth are sometime observed as well.
Numerous things can contribute to gum recession. In addition to gum disease from excessive bacteria and tooth decay, genetically inclined individuals may also find their gum line lowering. It’s been estimated that about 30% of U.S. citizens have genetically thin or weak gingiva, and this fact makes them more susceptible to gum recession. Tobacco use, overly-aggressive brushing habits, the pressure placed on jaw and teeth from a misaligned bite or tooth grinding, oral tissue damage from lip or tongue jewelry or a sports injury, improperly fitted dentures, and hormonal changes can also add to gum recession probability. Lastly and most commonly, gum recession is caused by bad oral care. If the teeth aren’t brushed twice a day, flossed at least once daily, and regularly professionally cleaned, the gums can easily get damaged by bacteria and the acidic environment that births plaque and tartar build up along the gum line.
If you are concerned about what you think may be gum recession or any other possible signs, you should always consult your doctor. Gum recession can be reversible if caught in the early stages. By deep cleaning the affected area with tooth scaling, your dentist cleans out the plaque and tartar structures below the gum line and within existing perio-pockets. Then he or she will do some root planning, in which the surface of the tooth root is smoothed down so it’s harder for plaque and tartar to form on it. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to eliminate any remaining bacteria. (Source: webmd.com)
If gum damage is too severe, your dentist may encourage you to have surgery to repair them. Several options are available and the one recommended will depend on the quality and availability of tissue in other areas of your mouth. If your gum recession is due to excessively deep perio pockets, the periodontist may just open the gums up, clean the bacteria out and reattach your gums to their original position. This type of procedure is called Pocket Depth Reduction.
If your gum recession has escalated to the point of bone loss in addition to gum loss, a regeneration surgery may be the best approach. In this procedure, the dentist will first clean out the infected area and then place a regenerative material to encourage your body to heal itself. The regenerative material can be a tissue stimulating protein, membrane, or graft tissue from your own mouth depending on what is available and your personal oral situation.
The most typical type of gum surgery for dealing with gum recession or disease is a soft tissue graft. Within this circle of gum surgeries, there are several types depending on where the graft is pulled from. If subepithelial connective tissue pulled from below the skin layer of your palate (roof of the mouth) is used, the procedure is called Connective Tissue graft. This piece of tissue is attached directly where the gums have receded from, covering any exposed tooth roots. If the skin layer of the palate is used rather than tissue from beneath it, the gum surgery is called a free gingival graft. The third type of soft tissue graft that may be used to aid in gum recession recovery is called pedicle graft. In this case, the tissue surrounding the receded gums is prevalent enough to use for the procedure. (Source: webmd.com)
Though these procedures may sound painful, the truth is patients are able to go home the day of the surgery. In the case of a tissue graft, patients will feel some pain from the area that the tissue was removed from. Most gum surgery patients need someone to drive them home, and it will take several weeks to heal. During that time, cool soft foods will have to be eaten, and patients are discouraged from brushing or flossing near the healing area. Instead, a special mouthwash will be provided to keep bacteria away from the surgery site. Physical activity limitations may be suggested, as well as medications or antibiotics to ease pain, swelling or risk of infection. (Source: webmd.com)
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