Receding Gums Treatment

Receding gums is a disease of the gums that causes erosion of the gum tissue which results in the exposure of the roots of the tooth. It is considered as an indicator of some serious periodontal disease. Most of the time, this condition is observed in people above 40 years. Sometimes, it is confused as a sign of aging, and is therefore ignored. But, it should be known that receding gums can be a symptom of other severe dental as well as non-dental disorders. One should not get worried as there is an effective treatment available that helps in overcoming the disorder.

Causes of Receding Gums
Over aggressive brushing can cause the outer enamel of the teeth to wear out and lead to exposure of the tooth root. This is also known as toothbrush abrasion. Receding gums can also be caused due to periodontal diseases and also due to misaligned teeth which build up excess plaque inside the gum line. Apart from these, the other causes are eating disorders, lip or tongue piercings and even tobacco consumption.

Signs and Symptoms
Receding gums is a disease that advances very slowly and hence, the symptoms do not appear immediately. The symptoms remain unnoticed for a longer period until other problems start arising. In most of the cases, people do not experience any sort of pain, and hence, they are not aware of the disorder. Here are the signs and symptoms of receding gums:

• Exposed roots of tooth
• Cavities below gum line
• Tooth becomes very sensitive
• Increase in space between teeth
• Gum bleeding while brushing

Treatment of Receding Gums
If you observe the above symptoms, you should immediately visit the dentist. After the overall checkup, the dentist will confirm the presence of the disease. As mentioned above, in most of the cases, receding gums is caused due to over aggressive brushing. One can overcome it by using a softer toothbrush and changing his brushing techniques. As teeth become over sensitive, the dentist may prescribe you an ointment or agent to desensitize your teeth. There are also certain toothpastes that provide relief. Misaligned teeth can be corrected through dental treatments.

On the other hand, if the gums are severely recessed, the dentist may advice you to undergo an advanced receding gums treatment known as gum grafting or periodontal plastic surgery. It can involve two different types, either repositioning the tissue from the adjacent gum or using a graft from other part of the mouth to replace the eroded gum tissue. The treatment is undertaken using local anesthesia and is not painful.

Prevention
Overall dental hygiene is required to prevent receding gums. Vitamin supplements of C and B complex vitamins are also used for the prevention of further damage of gums. Similarly, one should have adequate intake of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus for good dental health. Although most of the people avoid it, it is advisable to have a regular dental checkup in order to prevent the occurrence of other severe dental problems.

You should not ignore even the minor dental problems as they can indicate onset of receding gums. It is recommended to undertake treatment as early as possible to avoid loss of a single tooth or more than one teeth! This information is meant only for educational purposes. It is recommended to consult the doctor for proper treatment.