Receding Gums

When an oral health issue arises, it is always necessary to speak with your dentist so that your mouth can be evaluated and proper treatment can be given if necessary. With early intervention, most dental issues can be easily treated and reversed before they wreak havoc on your mouth. One oral health issue that people tend to ignore is receding gums. Gum recession is a serious condition that needs to be addressed earlier rather than later. One of the first signs of receding gums is tooth sensitivity.

Receding gums occur when the gum tissues begin pulling away from the teeth and exposing the sensitive nerve fibers and roots of the teeth. If you experience a jolt of pain when eating ice cream, a twinge of discomfort when you take a sip of your morning coffee, or an ache when you bite down and apply pressure to your teeth – you are experiencing tooth sensitivity. Each tooth is an individual living feature that has its own lifeline connecting it directly to the body’s blood supply. Tooth sensitivity is an indicator that trouble is brewing, and the discomfort your feel is a warning that you need to visit your dentist. If receding gums are left untreated, the health of your teeth is at risk. Gum recession can lead to tooth loss and can require extensive treatment measures to correct once it becomes severe.

The leading causes of receding gums:

• Over-aggressive brushing. Brushing the teeth with too much force damages the gums and triggers them to pull away from the teeth as a defensive mechanism.
• Improper oral hygiene. Floss should be on your daily docket of dental habits. Dental floss is the only tool designed to scrape away bacteria-laden plaque from the gum line.
• Gum disease. When plaque is allowed to build up, the bacteria will begin producing acids that will destroy the gum tissue. Severe gum disease compromises the entire mouth, and it leaves the body vulnerable to infection passing through the blood stream.
• Genetics. Family history of receding gums and/or gum disease puts you at a higher risk for developing the same condition.
• Hormone changes. Women are particularly affected by hormone related gum recession due to the huge hormonal fluctuations that they go through in their lifetime. 

If you have any symptoms of receding gums or tooth sensitivity, contact Sycamore Hills Dentistry today.

Posted on behalf of Sycamore Hills Dentistry