Understanding gum recession and the treatments

What is gum recession?

It is a process where the gum tissue (the gum line) surrounding the teeth starts to pull back away from its original position, resulting in exposing more of the tooth structure. In some severe cases, the roots of the tooth are exposed, causing sensitivity to the exposed tooth. 

In gum disease, there are pockets of space formed in between our teeth and the gum line, allowing food to get trapped and bacteria to build up. If routine dental hygiene is not well maintained or left untreated, the gums will get inflamed, the bone resorption and gum recession occur, and eventually lead to tooth loss.

Although gum recession is a common dental issue, not many people realise that they are having a gum recession until it is visibly noticeable, someone tells them about it, or they start to experience tooth sensitivity. 

Symptoms of gum recession

• Receding gum line
• Teeth seem to ‘grow longer’
• Gaps or pockets of space in between teeth got bigger and bigger
• Teeth sensitivity
• Frequent food trap

Myths of gum recession

• Ageing - It is commonly heard from many people that they think gum recession is common among older people. This is not true! Gum recession can happen to anyone who has unhealthy gums or improper dental hygiene. 
  
  
• Unhealthy people - Only unhealthy people have gum recession is an incorrect statement. Although our gums are one of the indications of our dental and general health, it does not mean that only unhealthy people have it. Healthy people like you may also have gum recession due to several causes, such as brushing with a hard-bristle toothbrush with harsh brushing strokes. 

Causes

• Teeth grinding - Those who grind their teeth during their sleep may not even realise that they are teeth grinders. It’s even less known that teeth grinding can potentially cause gum recession. When you grind your teeth, the pressure and friction cause the teeth to move, and the supporting bones and gum will eventually recede due to the movements. 
  
  
• Physical wearing off of the gums - Brushing with a hard-bristle toothbrush or hard brushing movements, causing the gum injury and subsequently the gum to recede.
  
  
• Poor Oral Hygiene and Gum Disease - People with poor oral hygiene habits allow any food to remain trapped between teeth. Bacteria, plaque, and potential decay start to form and affect gum health. This will progress to periodontal issues and eventually lead to the loss of a tooth if left untreated. It is a severe case of gum disease where people started with poor oral hygiene continue to ignore, gums are inflamed, and teeth are affected. Gingivitis is present and has progressed to periodontitis, where the gum tissues are inflamed, and tartar is formed along the gum line, where bacteria continue to grow and spread. 
  
  
• Post Orthodontic Treatment - During the orthodontic treatment by fixed braces, it increases the risk of gingivitis and plaque build-up. This can lead to issues like increased pocket depth, gum recession and potential bone loss.

Treatments

• Root Planing / Deep Cleaning under local anaesthesia - For mild cases of gum recession, we suggest professional deep cleaning on the affected areas. After the deep cleaning, plaque and tartar are removed, allowing the receded gums to reattach to the tooth structure.
  
  
• Fluoride Varnish - Apply desensitising agents to help reduce tooth sensitivity to the exposed root.
  
  
• Composite Restoration - Placement of composite restoration (tooth-colored filling) for more severe cases, to cover and protect the exposed root surfaces.
  
  
• Gum Tissue Transplant - we have an option for patients to undergo a gum transplant where our gum specialist will graft soft tissue from another site in the mouth and transplant it to the affected area. The grafted area will heal progressively and improve the gum recession issue.

You do not want to ignore it if you suspect you have gum recession. Early detection and seeking early treatment saves you from teeth sensitivity, social awkwardness, prevents any further damage and potential loss of teeth. Oral health is very much linked to our general health. A healthy body starts with a healthy set of teeth and gums. Get an appointment with us to understand more about your gums and oral health.