Unfortunately, a receding gum line is common among many patients. The problem is that many of these oral problems go undiagnosed for a long time until there is a need for a dental emergency. It does not have to be your story. As soon as you notice your gums receding, you can immediately contact a dentist near you to begin your treatment.

What Is Gum Recession?

It is a condition where the margin of the gum tissue pulls away, tears, or is infected enough to pull away from teeth. Gum recession leads to small pockets forming on your gum line, increasing your risk of dental infections. Without gum recession treatment in Temecula, your oral health can turn for the worse, incurring dental cavities, periodontitis, and premature tooth loss.

How Do You Know You Have a Receded Gum Line?

Although it may not be obvious for everyone, there are sure tell-signs that can help you catch your gum recession early. They include the following:

1. Exposed tooth roots
2. Teeth that look bigger than they usually are
3. Swollen, reddened, and tender gums
4. Clear visible lines or notches along the bottom of the teeth
5. Heightened tooth sensitivity
6. Loose teeth – unfortunately, if your teeth are wobbly, it implies an advanced stage of gum recession. Without immediate intervention, your teeth will start falling off soon.

Why Do Gums Recede?

Various factors can lead to gum recession. The most common ones are:

1. Periodontal disease – severe gum infection will cause your gums to pull away from teeth.
2. Genetics – some people’s genes predispose them to a high risk of gum recession.
3. Overcrowding and crooked teeth – when teeth are misaligned, they may place unnecessary pressure on the gum tissue.
4. Aggressive tooth brushing – not only weakens your teeth enamels but also can damage your gum tissue.
5. Insufficient dental care – poor oral hygiene routines result in inadequate brushing and flossing, allowing plaque and tartar to build up on teeth.
6. Fluctuations in female hormone levels – women are more likely to have receded gums during puberty, menopause, or pregnancy when they encounter significant hormonal changes.
7. Tobacco usage – smoking, snuffing, or chewing tobacco can increase your risk of gum recession.
8. Body piercing – a piercing in your mouth can irritate your gums enough to cause a recession.

How Gum Recession Treatment Is Performed

Dentists treat gum recession differently. At Elevate Dental Temecula, the greatest consideration is the recession’s severity. Mild cases are treatable with antibiotics and deep cleaning. Deep cleaning is a dental procedure for ridding the mouth of plaque and tartar, involving two main processes called root planing and scaling. Once all plaque and tartar are off your teeth, (s)he snugly secures the gum tissue in place, covering the tooth roots properly. After that, the gums can start to heal themselves without any big pockets or gaps.

For severe gum recession, an oral surgeon will perform gum grafting surgery. It is a procedure for restoring damaged gum tissue using grafts obtained from a different part of your mouth. In many cases, dentist near you will extract gum grafts from the room of your mouth. If you have sufficient gum tissue, your oral surgeon may pull it up as the graft tissue to repair the damaged portion. Before the surgery, however, the dentist must first fold back the gums to remove the bacteria. Afterward, the grafting surgery will repair the soft tissue.

Is Gum Grafting an Expensive Procedure?

The cost of such an oral surgery differs from one dental office to another. Liaising with your dentist regarding this gum recession treatment cost is best. It should range between $700 to $1,000. The good news is that many insurance plans generally cover this cost because it is a treatment, not an elective procedure.

Can You Avoid Gum Recession?

Prevention is ultimately the best way to care for your oral health. Regarding gum recession, the following tips can help you maintain healthy gums:

1. Quit smoking
2. Quit drinking alcohol
3. Keep up with daily schedules for teeth brushing and flossing.
4. Eat healthily
5. Seek treatment for all underlying oral problems