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How Dentists Treat Receding Gums

How Dentists Treat Receding Gums
Posted on 03/12/2020
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How Dentists Treat Receding GumsWe all know that keeping your teeth healthy is a primary part of maintaining a great smile, but what some don't realize is that gum health is just as important. The gums support the teeth and help keep them healthy, so any gum problem is necessarily a threat to your smile. Aside from gingivitis, one of the most common problems that patients face with their gums is gum recession – and as your Manahawkin dentist, the treatment team at Federici Dental can use a variety of options to help treat this issue.

Treatment Options for Gum Recession

Gum recession occurs when the gums begin to effectively 'shrink,' causing the gum line to drop down and expose more of the teeth. Left untreated, receding gums can expose the tooth root, which is much more vulnerable to dental decay and can cause the formation of cavities. In extreme cases, gum recession can also lead to bone loss, further weakening the teeth and potentially even threatening tooth loss.

Gum recession can be caused by an underlying case of periodontal disease, but this isn't always true: in some cases, patients simply get receding gums despite excellent oral hygiene. Strong oral hygiene is important to maintain healthy gums, but sometimes, flossing with too much pressure can also cause the gums to recede.

If gum recession does become a problem, there are a number of options for periodontal treatment. If gum disease is a problem, we can use scaling and root planing to thoroughly clean the gums and teeth below the gumline, preventing the progression of cavities. To fix receding gums, we can use a procedure called a gum graft. This is a minor surgical procedure that involves taking healthy gum tissue from another part of the mouth and attaching it to where the gums have receded, providing extra tissue to build the gums back up. We usually take donor tissue from another part of the mouth, but gum grafting can also be done with lab-grown tissue.

Contact Your Manahawkin, NJ Periodontist

Healthy gums are a prerequisite to a healthy, long-lasting smile, and whether you're dealing with gum recession or periodontal disease, we offer a variety of treatments to help you regain optimal oral health. Want to find out more about how our gum treatments can help you maintain your healthy smile? Take the first step: contact us today to find out how we can revitalize your smile through comprehensive dental treatment!