Take a
look at your gums. Do they look like they're receding or do they feel
extra sensitive lately? If yes, it’s time to come in for a visit.
Receding gums are a sign of two things: gum disease or overly aggressive
brushing. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and even
heart disease. For early stages of gum disease, we can use a
non-surgical scaling and root planing (SRP) treatment to get your gums
healthy again. Excessive gum recession, however, sometimes requires a
surgical treatment called a gum graft.
Once your gums start to recede, brushing with a lighter
hand will only be effective if there is still adequate gum tissue left
to act as a barrier from disease and bone loss. But if your gums have
receded to the extent that your tooth roots are exposed, you may need a
gum graft. Exposed tooth roots can cause varying degrees of tooth
sensitivity or make your teeth appear longer than normal. But more
importantly, exposed tooth roots can leave your teeth vulnerable to
bacteria and periodontal disease.
Gum grafts may also be used to correct a high frenum
attachment. The frenum is the muscle between the upper or lower front
teeth; if it pulls on the gum margin, recession could result.
Orthodontic therapies can also stretch the gum line and cause the gums
to recede. In all cases, gum grafts are an excellent way to protect the
underlying bone and prevent the gums from receding further.
