Receding Gums

Receding Gums Causes and Symptoms

Knowing the causes of gum recession is the best way to avoid, prevent, and delay aggressive tissue loss. Some risk factors can lead to more aggressive gum recession, while others happen more slowly. Some of the most influential factors that result in gum recession include:

Periodontal Disease – Gum disease / periodontal disease causes infected gum tissue to detach from the surface of the tooth, causing deep gum pockets around the tooth as well as gum recession. Gum disease differs from gingivitis, which is just inflammation of gum tissue. Actual gum disease can result in permanent gum detachment from the tooth.

Aggressive Tooth Brushing – Believe it or not, brushing too hard, or using a toothbrush with stiff bristles can cause the gums to recede. This usually happens in the corners of the mouth, around canine teeth and premolars. Scrubbing repetitively back and forth can wear notches in the enamel as well as cause the sensitive gum tissue to creep down the surface of the tooth. Instead, use a soft toothbrush and only enough pressure to cause light blanching of the tissues.

Soft bristles: Provide just enough pressure to remove plaque biofilm and not damage the gum tissue if used correctly.

Medium bristles: Slightly more force, which can predispose the tooth to enamel abrasion and begin to induce gum recession.

Hard/Stiff bristles: Do not provide enough flex to access all areas around the curvatures of the teeth. Excessive force causes irritation to gum tissue, which induces recession and enamel abrasion.

Tobacco Use – Both smoking and smokeless tobacco can cause severe gum recession. Smoking cigarettes causes the gum tissue to lose vital blood supplies, allowing secondary gum infections to take place and cause tissue loss. Using smokeless tobacco, or dip, physically irritates the tissues due to glass particles in the tobacco that aid in the nicotine entering into the system. This chronic, repetitive irritation will physically result in gum tissues being absent from the areas where the dip is frequently held. Moving the dip to different areas in the mouth can delay aggressive recession to an extent.

Lack of Dental Care – Rampant tooth decay or gum disease can cause significant problems before visible symptoms are present. Gum recession is a secondary result of untreated cavities, delayed cleanings, and persistent gum problems.

Misaligned Teeth – Teeth that are misaligned are more susceptible to gum recession. Usually it is the one or two crooked teeth that become susceptible, due to the tissues being pulled in the other direction or from the excess trauma to the tooth being jetted out into the wrong position. Misaligned teeth can also get more tartar buildup because they’re difficult to keep clean with regular brushing and flossing, which will cause gum disease and recession.

Piercings of the Lip or Tongue – Chronic irritation from a lip or tongue piercing can cause gingival tissue to shift out of place, exposing the tooth. Even if the piercing does not feel bothersome, the repetitive rubbing against soft tissues will still cause gradual damage to the tissues. There may or may not be discomfort associated with the jewelry rubbing against the gums.

Genetic Influences – People whose parents had chronic gum recession from gum disease or misalignment may be predisposed to develop the condition themselves. Bacteria can be passed from a parent to the child, and anatomical factors may simply be inherited.

Accelerated Orthodontic Treatment – Moving the teeth too quickly during orthodontic treatment can cause gum recession to occur, due to the body’s inability to adjust to rapid tooth movement. Slower movements keep bone levels healthy, and maintain proper gum levels.

Receding Gum Symptoms
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The most obvious symptom of gum recession is the visible shift of gum tissue down the root of the tooth, causing the yellow dentin to be exposed. There are several other symptoms associated with recession, but the exposure of the roots usually can’t be missed. Depending on which risk factor is contributing to the recession, the area of receded gums may be localized to a single tooth, part of the mouth, or spread throughout the entire mouth.

Some of the common symptoms that lead to recessed gums are:
*Sensitivity
*Yellow appearance of roots
*Stained teeth
*Susceptibility to decay
*Long teeth
*Spaces between teeth
*Food packing

Be healthy..

Keep smiling...

Dr. Sanjay Chourasia