Gum Recession Causes and Treatments By N. Perry Orchard on October 24, 2015

Gum recession is a serious dental condition that can increase a patient’s risk of tooth decay, cause sensitivity, and affect the appearance of the smile. If you have a receding gum line, Dr. Charles A. Robertson and Dr. Nicholas Perry Orchard invite you to schedule a general dentistry appointment to undergo a gum recession evaluation and learn about your treatment options. Contact our Corpus Christi, TX practice today.

Gum Recession Causes

Gum recession has a range of causes, including:

Gum disease: Gum disease is the most common cause of gum disease. This gum infection destroys healthy gum tissue and the other supportive structures of the teeth. Without treatment, patients can experience tooth loss.
Poor at-home oral care: Dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay are more likely to occur in patients that do not take good care of their teeth and gums at home. Proper home care includes brushing the teeth twice a day, and flossing once a day. Patients may also use an antibacterial mouthwash daily.
Aggressive tooth brushing: At home care is important, as is using proper brushing techniques. Apply light pressure when you brush your teeth. Brushing too hard can contribute to gum recession.
Hard-bristled toothbrushes: A hard-bristled toothbrush can damage your gum tissue. Use a soft-bristled brush instead.
Chronic teeth grinding: The constant pressure caused by bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, slowly causes the gums to recede. Wearing a mouth guard at night can prevent this damage.
Misaligned teeth or bite: If your teeth are crooked or your bite is misaligned, it can put excessive pressure on certain areas of the mouth and cause gum recession.
Use of tobacco products: Tobacco products like cigarettes can make it more difficult to remove the plaque, tartar, and bacteria that eats away at the gum tissue.
Body piercings: Piercings such as tongue rings and lip rings can apply consistent pressure to one area of the gums, wearing away the tissue.
Genetics: Some patients are more prone to gum recession than others.
Hormone changes: You are at a higher risk of experiencing gum recession if you are pregnant, going through puberty or menopause, or have any other condition that can cause hormone fluctuations.

Gum Recession Treatment

The best treatment for gum recession is prevention. To prevent gum recession, you can:

Brush twice a day and floss daily
Wear a mouth guard if you suffer from bruxism
Avoid the use of tobacco products
Do not have body piercings in the mouth area

If you have developed gum recession in response to gum disease, we can perform root planing and scaling, or a deep cleaning procedure, to eliminate the infection. This involves the use of special tools to clean the teeth below the gum line. After we have removed built up plaque and tartar, we will smooth any rough patches that have developed on your tooth roots. Finally, we may use antibiotic fibers to fight bacteria and infection.

If you have suffered severe gum recession, we may refer you to an oral surgeon to undergo a gum grafting procedure.

To schedule an appointment, contact the practice of Dr. Charles A. Robertson and Dr. Nicholas Perry Orchard.