It happens slowly: your gums creep downward, exposing your roots bit by bit. Most people don’t even notice it until the problem has already become severe. Gum recession happens to a lot of people, and it’s not always something you can control easily.

There are a number of risks associated with gum recession, and the results can be quite severe if you don’t take action to stop it. We’re proud to use advanced gum recession treatments at our Edgewood office, but taking action requires knowing just what gum disease can do.

What Causes Gum Recession?
There are a number of reasons your gums could recede, and knowing your risk factors is an important part of controlling and preventing it. While some people may experience gum recession regardless of what they do to stop it you still may slow or stop it by eliminating controllable risk factors.

  • Overly aggressive brushing is a common cause. It’s easy to think you need to brush hard, but in reality you don’t need to apply much pressure at all. In fact, when you do press too hard your brush can’t work nearly as well! Don’t apply too much pressure when brushing – the brush itself can do most of the work. Be sure to always use a soft-bristled brush too.
  • Flossing too hard is also a cause. When you’re using floss you should try getting right to the gumline, and even below it a bit, but take care that you aren’t pressing too hard on your gums. Flossing shouldn’t hurt!
  • Genetics play a big role in gum recession. Some of us are just “unlucky” when it comes to the health of our gums, and if you have a family history of it you’re far more likely to develop it yourself.
  • Misaligned teeth are a common cause as well – if you have crooked teeth they can put uneven pressure on your gums that makes them tight and more likely to pull back.
  • Gum disease destroys your gum’s ability to hold onto your teeth, and over time will lead to severe recession.
  • Teeth grinding puts a lot of pressure on your gums, which can lead to them pulling away from your teeth.
  • Traumatic injuries to your gums or teeth can result in gum recession that can happen surprisingly fast.

The Dangers Of Gum Recession
Far from just an aesthetic problem, gum recession can be a serious oral health risk. While unhealthy gums are more prone to recession, even healthy ones can have negative effects on your oral health.

The most serious problem is the exposure of tooth roots. The part of your teeth that is supposed to be hidden below the gumline isn’t designed to be above it and isn’t covered with any enamel. Rather, the root sections of teeth are covered with cementum, a soft material designed to adhere to gum tissue. It decays much more easily than enamel, and a tooth suffering from gum recession is likely to end up with a cavity if you don’t get it treated.

There are also problems of sensitivity, teeth that loosen due to lack of support, and even total tooth loss if the gums recede too far. It’s also much easier to develop gum disease if your roots are exposed because the gums are already having trouble anchoring to your teeth.

The long-term effects of gum disease might be far from your mind right now, but if you don’t seek treatment for your receding gums you will almost certainly end up suffering from some of these problems.

How We Treat Gum Disease
If you come to Edgewood Dental Care to get help for your gum recession you’ll be getting one of the most advanced treatments on the planet. The Pinhole® method of restoring receded gums is truly amazing and minimally invasive. There’s not even any cutting!

All we have to do is make a small pinhole-sized incision in your gums. Then we go beneath them to reposition your gumline from the inside. We use special tools to actually restore the alignment of your gums to their original position, and the effects are immediate.

You won’t have to spend weeks healing from incisions, worrying about infection, or being in pain. In just about a day you’ll be back to feeling great and sporting a healthy smile that’s safe from the harms of gum recession.

Treatment Is Simple!
Treating gum recession has never been as simple as it is at our Edgewood dentist office. If you want to find out how easily we can craft you a new smile give us a call today at 859-474-7830! You can also save time and request an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you soon!