With so much focus on keeping teeth healthy and clean, it’s easy to forget that gums need to be cared for a well. The reality is, gum recession is a common problem caused by a variety of factors including poor dental hygiene. Anyone who suspects he or she is suffering from this issue should make an appointment with a Dental Honolulu office to discuss treatment options to fix it.
Causes of Gum Recession
Gum recession occurs when the gum line pulls back or recedes, which causes a greater portion of the tooth to be exposed. This can cause several oral health problems including periodontal disease, tooth sensitivity, and even tooth loss.
There are a couple of different things that can contribute to the development of gum recession including:
* Poor dental care -; When plaque is allowed to remain on teeth, it turns into tartar. This is a hard substance that creates a protective environment for bacteria. The irritation caused by contact with tartar produces inflammation in gums and leads to recession.
* Aggressive brushing -; Brushing too hard can also irritate gums and cause them to recede.
* Genes -; According to some studies, about 30 percent of people have a higher risk of receding gums because of a genetic predisposition for gum disease.
* Hormonal changes -; Women may be more susceptible to gum recession because of the frequent changes in hormone levels that occur during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause that increase gum sensitivity.
In the majority of cases, most people don’t know they are suffering from receding gums because it occurs slowly over a long period of time. Getting regular dental checkups can help detect this problem early enough to prevent extensive damage.
Possible Treatment Options
If the problem is detected early enough, then a thorough tooth cleaning, elimination of any gum disease through antibiotic use, and an improvement in dental hygiene may reverse the problem. More serious gum recession may require surgery to remove harmful bacteria that has accumulated into pockets of gum tissue. Another possible treatment is a tissue graft from another part of the mouth to help regenerate lost gum tissue.