Your smile is one of the most important physical features you have. In fact, nearly half of people surveyed consistently say that a good smile is more important that dress style, body type, and other physical features. So what do you do when something worrying, like gum recession, starts affecting your look?

There are a variety of reasons your gums may recede, and not all of them are your fault. It can be alarming to see your teeth get longer, showing the differently-colored portions that are normally hidden from view. At Edgewood Dental Care we can treat gum recession, but we still encourage you to know your risks and the signs so we can treat it as early as possible!

Why Are Your Gums Receding?
Like any kind of medical condition, there are quite a few reasons why your gums might recede. No matter the cause it’s important to schedule an appointment when you notice it – the faster the treatment the easier it will be!

  • Gum disease is probably the most common cause of gum recession. When oral bacteria makes its way under your gumline it causes inflammation that damages the gums, causing them to pull away from the teeth, become red, bleed easily, and recede.
  • Hard tooth brushing is another leading cause. If you notice that the bristles on your brush are all bent back within weeks of getting a new one you’re probably being too hard on your teeth and gums. Aggressive brushing can be made worse by stiff bristled brushes, and can also damage the enamel of your teeth as well.
  • For women, pregnancy, menopause, and even the hormonal changes of puberty can have a devastating effect on the health of their gums. If you or a family member is going through one of these life changes it’s important to monitor your teeth for signs of gum recession.
  • Genetics play a factor, just like in many health conditions. Some people are simply more likely to develop gum disease!
  • Tobacco use increases your risk of developing gum disease, which leads to gum recession. Smokeless tobacco is just as bad (if not worse). The only way to prevent this kind of damage is to stop completely.
  • Poor tooth alignment, of the kind that would normally be treated by braces, can put a lot of stress on your gums. Over time this can result in recession and gum disease.
  • Bruxism, or grinding, clenching, and gnashing your teeth, is also responsible for gum recession. The intense pressure on your teeth due to this bad habit also transfers to your gums, stretching them and causing small amounts of damage that add up over time.
  • Poor dental care, whether it’s not brushing and flossing thoroughly enough or avoiding the dentist, is a sure-fire way to end up with gum recession. There are areas of your mouth that it’s nearly impossible for you to keep clean on your own. Without professional care you’ll easily end up with gum disease or other conditions that cause recession.

Treating Gum Recession: It’s Easy!
When your gums start receding it can be pretty scary, especially once you start to notice!  You might even look up information about gum recession treatment and decide pretty quickly to not do it: all that cutting, grafting, suturing, and slicing doesn’t seem pleasant at all!

Our entire Edgewood dental team agrees with you: that’s not the kind of gentle care you need to treat a problem like receding gums. We’re proud to be able to offer the Chao Pinhole® Technique, a revolutionary way to restore your gums with nothing more than a prick!

The Pinhole technique uses one small incision – literally the size of a pinhole – to get a tool into your gums. The tool is used to actually reposition your gumline, lowering and securing it back into its original position. There’s no stitches, practically zero healing time, and the pinhole itself is generally gone by the very next day.

This amazing technique is THE state-of-the-art way of restoring receding gums. If you want to fix your gumline and protect your teeth without all the pain and discomfort of gum grafting then this is the answer for you!

Wondering About Your Receding Gums?
The only way we can identify a treatable case of gum recession is by seeing you at our Edgewood office. If you need treatment don’t hesitate to contact us today at 859-474-7830, or feel free to request an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you soon!