Receding gums or gingival recession is a process in which your gum margin wears away. Gums protect your teeth, keeping them in position. But with receding gums, tooth root becomes exposed. And it causes the development of pockets between the gum line, including teeth.
Many a time, people have gum recession behind their insight. Since it progresses gradually, you may not get significant signs of it. Ongoing tooth sensitivity, however, can be an indication of receding gums. You might consult the top dentist at the leading dental clinic in Siliguri.
Untreated receding gums can result in tooth loss. Early detection of oral health issues ensures no complications come your way. Therefore, routine dental check-ups are important.
Symptoms and Signs of Receding Gums
Initially, you may not identify if there’s a concern. With time, when it develops into an advanced form, you notice the following signs:
- Sensitive teeth
- Gap between teeth
- Bad breath
- Bleeding after brushing teeth
- Pain around the gum line
- Exposure of tooth root
- Swollen gums
- Redness of gum area
If you feel you have such a condition, make sure to see a doctor. Developing these signs doesn’t mean you have receding gums for sure. A dentist, upon absolute diagnosis, confirms the condition.
What Contributes to Receding Gums?
Given below are factors that increase the likelihood of the condition:
- Vigorous Brushing of teeth can play havoc with overall dental health. You may not receive the outcomes early on. But the chances of enamel erosion uplift if you brush your teeth aggressively.
- Poor dental care is the culprit for a number of oral health concerns. Neglecting day-to-day oral care habits puts you at risk of plaque accumulation in your mouth. Over time plaque develops into tartar, a solid form of plaque. This condition acts as a magnet for oral problems.
- Periodontal disease is a serious concern that leads to gum and jawbone damage. Poor oral hygiene is the prominent reason for periodontitis. If gingivitis remains undiscovered may cause this gum disease.
- Genetical factors are also there. Be sure to consider seeing a doctor if you have a family history of gum recession. Preventive care can reduce the chance of developing this concern.
- Tobacco consumption is at the ready to interfere with your overall well-being. If you smoke, your risk of oral health hazards is five times higher than non-smokers.
- Tooth grinding (bruxism) is the clenching of teeth that makes your gums more vulnerable to receding gums. You may start to clench your teeth/jaw unconsciously. Bruxism can happen at night or during the day. Sleep bruxism is the most common classification.
Other risk factors may include autoimmune diseases like HIV, diabetes, hormonal shifts in females, etc. On your visit to your dental expert, you get a proper oral health evaluation.
The doctor also asks for the existing discomforts. Possible diagnostic procedures advised by the best dentist in Siliguri may involve – a physical examination, reviewing your medical history, dental X-ray, et al.
Now, treatments for receding gums depend on the extension of the condition. Mild recession may not require treatment or can be treated with meds. Whereas, a severe condition may need medication in combination with surgery.