Gum Recession

The health of our gums is as important as the health of our teeth. Gum recession is a health problem that needs to be taken seriously. If bleeding or redness is seen in the gums when you bite hard foods such as apples or pears, this situation may point to gum recession. As age progresses, gum recession also increases. If gum recession is not intervened in time, serious problems extending to tooth loss may occur. Brushing teeth correctly and having dental scaling done regularly helps you prevent gum recession. Specialist Dentist Emin Serhat Arıkan, serving patients in Adana, explained for you what gum recession is and what the treatment methods are.

What Is Gum Recession (Periodontitis)?

Gum recession is defined as gums pulling away from the teeth and tooth roots becoming exposed. Gum recession can lead to the development of sensitivity in teeth, an increased risk of infection, and tooth losses. Besides these, gum recession causes teeth to remain vulnerable against the danger of cavities.

The risk regarding gum recession increases as age progresses. Environmental conditions and genetic factors can also cause gum recession at a young age. When gum recession cases are not treated, the occurrence of tooth losses may be inevitable. Therefore, gum recession should be treated without delay.

What Are the Symptoms of Gum Recession (Periodontitis)?

The most common symptoms of gum recession are the occurrence of sensitivity in teeth and obvious recessions. The length of the teeth looks as if it has elongated. Teeth start to wobble. If we need to list the causes of gum recession:

• Experiencing bleeding in your gums while brushing your teeth
• Occurrence of bleeding in gums while eating hard foods
• Pain felt in the gum
• Bad smell in the mouth
• Formation of gaps between teeth
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Ache felt even while breathing
• Teeth appearing elongated
• Observation of redness and bruising in gums
• Observation of puffiness and swelling in gums
• Pain occurring while chewing foods
• Potential tooth losses experienced in advanced gum recession
• Teeth looking incompatible with each other

If gum recession symptoms are ignored and the disease progresses, loosening and losses in teeth may be experienced.

What Causes Gum Recession (Periodontitis)?

Gum recession can originate from the insufficiency of oral hygiene and brushing teeth incorrectly. Apart from this, genetic predisposition or bruxism, meaning teeth grinding, can also lead to recessions in the gum. If we need to list the causes of gum recession:

• Insufficient oral hygiene
• Selection of hard-bristled toothbrush and incorrect tooth brushing technique
• Periodontal diseases negatively affecting the gum
• Advanced crowding in teeth
• Tartar and bacterial plaques
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Incorrectly done coatings and fillings
• Smoking
• Systemic diseases, primarily diabetes
• Genetic predisposition
• Advancing age
• Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
• Poor nutrition
• Immune system weaknesses
• Gingivitis
• Heart medications
• Birth control pills
• Antidepressants
• Pregnancy
• Menopause

How Is Gum Recession (Periodontitis) Diagnosed?

For gum recession to be treated successfully, first, the diagnosis must be made correctly. Therefore, the medical history taken from the patient, clinical examination findings, and radiographic evaluations are meticulously examined while diagnosing.

Which Doctor Should Be Visited for Gum Recession Treatment?

If there is an obvious recession in the gums and you feel aching in your teeth, you need to apply to a dentist specialized in the field of periodontology. In gum recession cases, early diagnosis plays an important role in the success of the treatment.

How Is Gum Recession Treated?

A patient who knows the cause of gum diseases, the course of the disease, and potential complications can be successful in treatment by taking conscious steps. Cooperation between the patient and the physician in the treatment of gum recession significantly increases the chance of success. Patients who know the harms of bacterial plaques and how to clean them have a very high chance of being treated successfully.

In the first stage, all tartar around the teeth must be cleaned using ultrasonic devices and special equipment. Following this, a polishing procedure is applied to the patient's tooth surfaces.  According to the level of inflammation in the region, local anesthesia is applied, and curettage is applied into the patient's periodontal pockets and to the root surfaces.

In acute gum infections, your dentist may resort to antibiotic treatment. Using antibacterial mouthwashes provides benefits in the prevention of gum diseases and in the treatment process. In more advanced gingivitis cases, gums are lifted from the bone tissue, and the inside of the gums and bone surfaces are completely cleaned from inflammation.

Sometimes bone grafts are utilized to support the formation of bone tissue. Gums are then stitched back to their former place, and the treatment is completed.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Gum Recession?

To prevent gum recession, first, oral hygiene must be ensured. Along with this, the precautions that can be taken are as follows:

• It is necessary to go to dentist check-ups in six-month periods for oral and dental health.
• Regular and correct tooth brushing habits should be acquired.
• A soft-bristled toothbrush should be preferred, and the correct brushing technique should be used.
• Professional dental scaling should be done at regular intervals
• Tooth and tissue losses occurring with advancing age should be detected early, and necessary interventions should be made.
• Smoking consumption should be quit or at least limited.
• Healthy and sufficient eating habits should be acquired
• Stress should be avoided
• Sufficient amount of water should be consumed

What Is Good for Gum Recession?

Among the practices that are good for gum recession, ensuring oral hygiene comes first. Along with this, gargling with salt water allows you to clean residues on teeth and shows an effect reducing inflammation and swelling. Also, drinking green tea or gargling with green tea provides benefits for gum health. In necessary cases, you can take Vitamin C supplements. If we need to list the practices that are good for gum recession:

• Gargling with salt water
• Coconut oil
• Vitamin C support
• Green tea
• Water with baking soda

What Are the Complications That Can Occur with Gum Recession?

One of the most important complications caused by gum recession is tooth loss. Losses in jawbone tissue are also among potential complications. Also, bacteria reaching the circulatory system brings along systemic diseases. If gum recession is not treated on time, tissues in the tooth and bone tissue can be seriously damaged.