Receding Gums Symptoms

There are a number of things that can play a role in gum recession, but the most common cause is periodontal disease. Other factors include medical conditions, such as HIV, untreated diabetes, tobacco use, and overly aggressive brushing. Gum recession can even be a side effect of some prescription medications. Gum recession is when the gum tissue begins to pull away, or shrink, from the tooth surface. It is very common and normal in older adults, but patients of any age can experience recession. Your dentist will be able to determine the cause and severity of your recession and begin treatment as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Gum Recession

The most obvious sign of gum recession is teeth appearing longer than they used to since the gums literally shrink away, exposing more tooth structure. Some other symptoms include tender and swollen gum tissue, sensitivity or pain along the gum line, exposed tooth roots, or bleeding during oral hygiene.

These are also symptoms of periodontal disease, which usually goes hand in hand with gum recession. Unless you have an underlying condition, periodontal disease is the likely culprit of gum recession.

We have a small gap between each tooth and the gum tissue surrounding it, and these pockets are what become infected with bacteria and tartar buildup. Tartar is hardened plaque, but brushing and flossing remove plaque accumulation every day. Without regular oral hygiene and professional cleanings, plaque calcifies into tartar very quickly and is not something that can be flossed away. Tartar removal requires the tools and expertise of a dental hygienist. In healthy gum tissue, pocket depths measure between 0 and 3 millimeters. Patients with pocket depths measuring higher than 4 millimeters may need periodontal treatment.

Treating Gum Recession

The treatment that your dentist recommends will depend on the severity of your gum recession. Most dental offices have the necessary equipment and training to perform scaling and root planing, but if more intense treatment is required, you may be referred to a periodontist.

Scaling and root planing, sometimes called a “deep cleaning”, is a non-surgical procedure used to clean deep within the gum pockets. Treatment is typically completed over the course of two visits, one side of the mouth being done at a time. A local anesthetic is administered to the area being treated, and your doctor will want to avoid your whole mouth being numb. Once the pockets are clean, your gum tissue will begin to heal closer to the tooth surface.

Patients with more severe gum recession may need a surgical procedure performed by a periodontist. Gum grafting is one option in which the damaged tissue is replaced with tissue either from a donor or tissue that was harvested from another area in the patient’s mouth. Flap surgery is a little more invasive because the affected gum tissue is cut and flapped back, giving the doctor access to the underlying tissues. They will clean the area, smooth the tooth root, then suture the tissue back in place.

Gum recession can lead to bone loss and tooth loss. Any changes to your oral health should be addressed by your dentist as soon as possible. If you notice any new or worsening tooth sensitivity or any changes during oral hygiene, make an appointment with your dentist.

Related Article: Stop Receding Gums from Getting Worse