Receding Gums and How to Reverse It

The recession of the gums is a process in which the gum tissue above your teeth gets smaller, revealing more of your tooth. The condition ends up forming gaps between your teeth, allowing germs and bacteria to grow. Therefore, the treat for this condition becomes essential as it can eventually lead to tooth damage and loss.

What are the causes?

Most people start developing the problem of receding gums post the age of 35. The causes can vary from something as basic as dental hygiene to more complex issues like periodontal disease. Here are some of the most common causes for receding gums:

• Aggressive brushing: One of the most common causes of gum recession is your wrong brushing technique. If you brush your teeth too hard or in the wrong manner, the chances are high that your enamel might wear off. As a result, it may recede your gums as well.
• Hormonal changes: Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause fluctuate hormone levels of a woman all the time. This could make the gums more sensitive leading to their recession.
• Tobacco products: Tobacco products stain one’s teeth and form a sticky plaque over them. The plague, in turn, damages the teeth and increases chances of gum recession.
• Genes: Irrespective of your dental care routine, it is likely that you may be more susceptible to the disease. About 30% people with the issue of receding gums have it due to their genetic structure.
• Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial infection which slowly destroys the gum tissue. If not diagnosed soon, it is harder to treat this as the disease damages the supporting bone holding your teeth as well.

How to reverse gum recession?

The cause and the extent of your gum tissue damage forms the basis of your treatment. The earlier you address the condition, the easier it becomes to reverse the gum recession process. Here are some of the ways to treat/revert gum recession:

• Change your habits: If your brush too aggressively, do not maintain good oral hygiene, or grind your teeth too much, the doctor may advice you to change your brush, etc. This may not reverse the damages but it does stop further recession.
• Scaling and root planning: This method is used to treat early stages of periodontal disease. It involves removal of the bacteria trapped between the gums. This is followed by the root planning process, which involves smoothening of the gum’s surface to not let bacteria grow again.
• Gum Graft: A method used for more serious issues, gum graft involves replacing the missing gum tissue with new ones. The method makes use of regenerated gum tissue taken from the donors and transplanting it onto the patient’s gum line. However, this technique can be uncomfortable for the patient and requires a long recovery period.
• Pinhole Surgical Technique: The pinhole surgery is a technique to reverse the gum recession. It involves making small holes in the gum tissue and then pushing it down in order to expose the gum roots. This helps the tissue grow back faster and requires a much shorted recovery period.