Gum graft surgery: Gum graft surgery is a dental procedure aimed at treating gum retraction, in which the gum tissue is pulled back from the teeth, leaving more of the tooth or its root exposed.
The Benefits Of Early Gum Recession Treatment: It is more beneficial to address gum recession early on. Reason being, receding gums are a telltale sign of periodontal disease in its early stages. Treating gum disease early stops it from getting worse.
Gum graft surgery Types:
- Connective Tissue Graft: A piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth (palate) and stitched to the area where the gum is missing.
- Free Gingival Graft: A small amount of tissue is taken directly from the palate and placed on the receded gum area. This is often used for thickening the gums.
- Pedicle Graft: Tissue is taken from nearby gum tissue, allowing the graft to remain attached at one end.
When the gums recede, the tooth roots are visible. Some of the reasons for this include genetics, smoking, and rough brushing. Surgery, antimicrobial mouthwashes, and other methods are used to treat gum recession. Gum recession cannot be reversed, however it can be slowed with treatment.
Gum Recession Treatment Procedure Overview:
- Preparation: Your dentist or periodontist will assess your gums and may take X-rays.
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is administered to minimize discomfort.
- Grafting: The chosen grafting technique is performed to cover the exposed tooth root.
- Recovery: Healing typically takes a few weeks, and you may need to follow specific care instructions to avoid complications.
Gum Recession Treatment Aftercare:
- Avoid hard or crunchy foods for a while.
- Maintain oral hygiene, but be gentle around the surgical area.
- Follow up with your dentist for check-ups.
Gum Recession Treatment Benefits:
- Reduces tooth sensitivity
- Improves aesthetics
- Protects tooth roots from decay
Look closely in the mirror; you don’t want to miss the signs of receding gums. Your teeth may look longer if your gums recede and expose more of the tooth root. Other symptoms, such as
- Gum bleeding while flossing or brushing, may also be present.
- Gum swelling
- Poor oral hygiene
- Discolouration or browning of gum tissue
- Disc discomfort
- Missing or slipping teeth
- Modifications to the way your teeth grind or line up.
Gum Recession Treatment periodontal disease: In most cases, receding gums are caused by periodontal disease, often known as gum disease. The prevalence of periodontal disease increases with age, affecting the majority of persons over the age of 30. The best teeth are most vulnerable to gum disease, which develops when plaque—a coating of germs—accumulates on them and inflames the gum fibres. If left untreated, the gaps between teeth “hide” germs and make it hard to clean between them.
A periodontist or dentist can assess the extent of gum disease by measuring the depth of the pockets. Mouth illness ranges from mild to severe. The ligaments and bones that support your teeth are impacted by mild to severe gum inflammation. Some of your teeth may get loose or even fall out around this time. The majority of tooth loss is caused by untreated periodontal disease.
You can save your teeth by treating gum recessions caused by periodontal disease. At the first stages of periodontal disease, good at-home hygiene may be sufficient. However, if the problem persists, a more thorough cleaning procedure called scale and planing may be necessary to eliminate plaque and pockets of bacteria from deeper tooth surfaces and to smooth them out so that bacteria have a harder time sticking.
Transplants of membranes and bones may be necessary for the treatment of receding gums in cases of advanced periodontal disease.
Causes of gum recession
- Inadequate dental care is the leading cause of gum recession.
- Another cause of gum recession is brushing too forcefully, so be careful.
- Bacteria produce plaque, which can eventually harden into tartar, when carbs and sugars are consumed in excess. Because of the irritation, this leads to gum recession.
Gum recession resembles that of a receding hairline in an elderly man. This is because
Excessive force when brushing the teeth (hard brushing). No matter how gently you brush your teeth, you still run the risk of injuring your gums if you’re not careful.
- Damage to the gums. Damage to the gums can occur as a result of vigorous brushing, a punch, boxing without a mouth guard, car accidents, and other traumas.
- Gum recession can result from plaque and tartar buildup, which can happen if you don’t brush your teeth regularly. Go for a medium ground between vigorous and infrequent brushing.
Periodontal disease is a condition that gingivitis can lead to. In order to avoid periodontal disease, it is important to treat gingivitis, which can be caused by either overly vigorous brushing or a lack of attention. - Gum recession can occur as a result of infections and hard-to-reach bacterial pockets caused by teeth that are not in the proper place, such as wisdom teeth or partially erupted molars.
- Chewing or smoking tobacco products might lead to gum recession. Tobacco is bad for your gums.
- Oral and canker sores are sometimes caused by tongue and lip piercings. Gingivitis, periodontal disease, and recession of the gums can develop from untreated wounds that become infected.
To avoid recession and the problems it brings, some people need to change their habits or get dental work done if they are genetically prone to it.
Keeping Your Gums Healthy
Is gum recession possible to prevent? In certain cases, it’s technically unavoidable. But it’s best to stay away from it because, like physical decay and ageing, it can’t be reversed.
Gingival and periodontal hygiene must be prioritised when gums are thin. Here are several ways to lessen risk:
Anti-recession and gingival care
- Make sure to brush your teeth properly and gently at least twice a day. Be gentle but thorough when brushing. Completely implies with all of your teeth.
- Lightly stroke: If you want to brush gently without hurting your gums, get a toothbrush with soft bristles. You can also get an electronic toothbrush that uses the pressure that’s advised.
- Remember to floss at least as frequently as you clean your teeth. Flossing is another physical method for removing plaque and film from tooth enamel.
- Make sure to also use mouthwash: Try using Bactidol or Listerine as your mouthwash. To eliminate the oral bacteria that cause plaque, use an antibiotic or one that is alcohol-based.
- Get your teeth cleaned regularly: Your family dentist should be your go-to for both routine and deep cleanings. The half-year or six-month rule suggests that most people should wash their teeth twice a year.
- Prompt Detection: To prevent more recession and long-term gum and periodontal problems, it is important to have your gums checked and treated promptly.
- Chewing tobacco: Cut out smoking. Do not smoke or use any tobacco product. Also, avoid chewing tobacco. Possible outcomes include tooth decay and receding gums. Marijuana usage to excess can have a similar effect.
What is a Gum Recession?
Gingivitis is a kind of recession. When gums recede from teeth, they reveal the roots. Cavities are more likely to form in your teeth. When you eat or brush your teeth, you can increase their sensitivity. Recession of the gums can range from mild to severe. It may affect a tooth or teeth.
Who Does the Gum Recession Impact?
Though it strikes the elderly more often, anyone can have gum recession.
- Periodontal disease increases the likelihood of a recession.
- Have had orthodontic work done.
- chew tobacco.
- Pierce your tongue or lip
- Give your teeth a good scouring.
When Does Gum Recession Occur?
Receding gums are a common dental problem. Some 88% of those 65 and up experience gum recession.
What are the signs and causes of gum recession?
When gums recede, the exposed roots of teeth are the most noticeable sign. Other indicators of gum recession:
- Discomfort or pain along the gum line.
- Extreme sensitivity to sugar, heat, and cold.
- Tooth sensitivity when brushing and flossing.
- A reaction to the cleaning of the teeth.
- Bone loss, tooth mobility, “wiggly” teeth, and eventual tooth loss can result from untreated gum recession.
See a dentist right away if you see any of the above signs. If you see your gums receding, it’s time to call the dentist. While resources like this can shed light on the matter at hand, nothing beats a proper diagnosis from an expert.