Gum Recession

Whether you give them much thought or not, your gum tissues perform a very important role in your mouth every single day. In fact, the health of your mouth is actually a great indicator of the health of your entire body. Any changes or signs of concern should be brought to your dentist’s attention so that s/he can evaluate your oral health and start early intervention if necessary. Gum recession is an issue that many people tend to wait too long to address simply because they mistakenly think that it is not a “big deal.” However, your gums play a vital role in your oral and general health, and gum recession that is ignored can become a serious condition.

Gum recession occurs when the gum tissues begin pulling away from the teeth. The gum tissues are incredibly important because they stabilize the teeth and they protect the nerve fibers and roots of the teeth. When gum recession happens, the most common symptom is tooth sensitivity. Twinges of discomfort are often felt while drinking cold beverages, eating hot foods, or even breathing in cool air. It is important not to ignore these twinges because they are the indication that something is awry within your mouth. If the roots of the teeth are left exposed for too long, they will become damaged and can cause the death of the tooth.

Understanding how gum recession happens is important:

• Over-aggressive brushing – Brushing your teeth with too much force causes damage to the gum tissues and causes the gums to recede.
• Not flossing – Dental floss is designed to scrape away bacteria-laden plaque from the gum line and from between the teeth. If you are not flossing daily, your gums are constantly assaulted by damaging bacteria.
• Gum disease – Gum disease is the direct result of the damage that bacteria cause to the gum tissues. When the gums are damaged they become infected, and when they are infected they pull away from the teeth.
• Hormonal changes – Hormone fluctuations have a huge impact on the gum tissues. Women are more vulnerable to hormone-related gum recession due to the huge hormonal changes they experience during puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause.
• Crooked teeth – Teeth that are misaligned are much more difficult to clean than those that are straight and fit together smoothly.

Contact Uptown Dental Surgery at 03-7728 7996 if you notice any signs of gum recession. We are here for all of your oral health care needs.