The Dentist in Silver Spring Talks About Gum Recession: Causes and Treatment, PART 2

This four-part article series provides an in-depth look at why gums can recede from the crowns of the teeth, the various problems it causes for one’s oral health and what can be done about it.

Welcome back to our four-part article series on gum recession, it’s causes, symptoms and treatment. In our first installment, an experienced dentist in Silver Spring explained to us what gum recession was and the various symptoms it may present with. Aside from the obvious visual aspect of a receding gum line, this condition may also cause tooth sensitivity as a result of the exposure of the tooth roots. Silver Spring residents may also notice the exposed connection between the crown and tooth roots just above the gum line.

The dentist then began explaining the various possible causes of gum recession, which included gum disease (the most common cause), your genetic heritage and aggressive toothbrushing technique. In this article, the second installment of the series, the Silver Spring dentist continues explaining some more factors that are linked with gum recession:

What Causes Gum Recession?...Continued

Bad Oral Hygiene

If you don’t brush and floss regularly and thoroughly, the accumulation of bacteria at the gum line can harden to form tartar. Unlike plaque, no amount of effort on your behalf will be sufficient to remove this… only a professional cleaning by a trained dentist in Silver Spring can remove tartar. This hard substance causes tooth decay, gum disease and gum recession. “Bad oral hygiene and a lack of preventative care is also the number one cause of tooth loss,” warns a dental implants specialist in Silver Spring.

Hormonal Fluctuations

Periods of abnormal hormonal fluctuations can render you more vulnerable to gum disease and the resultant symptom of gum recession. For example, pregnant women are more susceptible to gingivitis. Puberty and menopause are also times of greater risk.

Smoking and Tobacco Use

It is well documented in medical literature that smoking puts patients at a higher risk of gum disease, which can lead to gum recession. “Smoking is also a considerable risk factor for tooth loss,” warns the dental implants specialist in Silver Spring. “So be warned and do what it takes to kick the habit.”

Teeth Grinding and Jaw Clenching

“Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw is a common subconscious expression of psychological stress,” explains the dentist in Silver Spring. “This habit puts enormous physical stress on the teeth and can lead to fracturing, decay and gum recession. Mitigation, such as a mouth guard, is incredibly important if tooth grinders are to save their teeth from certain destruction.”

A Bad Bite or Crooked Teeth

If the teeth don’t come together properly, undue stress can be placed on the biting surfaces of some of the teeth, while others don’t receive much wear at all. An uneven bite and crooked teeth can also agitate and damage the gums and bone, leading to recession.

Piercings

“Another prime cause of gum recession, especially localized gum recession, is a piercing,” says the dentist in Silver Spring. “Piercings in the lip or tongue can rub against and destroy the gum tissue immediately opposite them. By pushing down or destroying this tissue, the gum is forced to recede, exposing the darker and more sensitive root underneath.”

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To find out more about the importance of and the various gum recession treatments recommended by dentists in Silver Spring, stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series.

The Dentist in Silver Spring Talks About Gum Recession: Causes and Treatment, PART 1

This four-part article series provides an in-depth look at why gums can recede from the crowns of the teeth, the various problems it causes for one’s oral health and what can be done about it.

When it comes to smile beauty, most people focus on the shape, color and symmetry of their teeth, but what isn’t getting the attention it deserves are the gums. Gums that aren’t healthy have just as devastating an impact upon the aesthetics of your smile as decayed, discolored teeth do. According to an experienced dentist in Silver Spring, gum recession is a very common problem that can have severe repercussions on oral health, which in turn affects the quality of the smile you present to the world.

In this four-part article series, we shall be discussing what gum recession is, what causes it and what treatments are available.

What is Gum Recession?

Gum recession is the process whereby the soft tissue surrounding the teeth gradually pulls away, exposing a greater percentage of the crowns of the teeth and the darker tooth roots. The overall visual affect is that of larger teeth and a toothier grin. Silver Spring residents don’t tend to notice gum recession because it is a gradual process that tends to happen over the course of several months, if not years. The danger is that gum recession is a common symptom of gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss if left without treatment.

“Aside from the visual aspect of gum recession, patients may also notice increased tooth sensitivity caused by the exposure of the tooth roots,” explains the dentist in Silver Spring. “They may also notice a notch above the gum line, which is where the crown meets the root of the tooth. Treating gum recession is extremely important for the dental health of Silver Spring residents, because it prevents more serious problems, such as tooth decay and loss, from taking hold.”

What Causes Gum Recession?

“There are a number of reasons the gums can recede from the crowns of the teeth,” explains the dentist in Silver Spring. “Some of them are more of a concern than others, but in most cases, we recommend treatment to cover up the tooth roots.” Treatment for gum recession will be further explored in Part 3 and 4 of this article series.

The most common causes of gum recession are...

Periodontal (Gum) Disease

When oral bacteria collect at and migrate beneath the gum line, their acidic wastes destroy the ligaments that attach the gums to the crowns and roots of the teeth. This forms deep pockets surrounding the teeth, which accumulate further bacteria and debris, to become inflamed and infected. Gum disease is a major cause of gum recession.

Your Genetic Heritage

The dental health of certain Silver Spring residents is more susceptible to gum disease and therefore to recession than others and this comes down to genetic heritage. Research surveys indicate that as much as 30% of Americans are predisposed to gum disease, even if they practice the right home oral hygiene.

Aggressively Brushing Your Teeth

“Using too much force when brushing your teeth can physically force them to recede from the crowns of the teeth,” warns the dentist in Silver Spring. “Aggressive brushing can also erode away the dental enamel. If your toothbrush looks more like an unruly mop of hair, it may be time to (1) buy a new one and (2) reassess your brushing technique.”

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more about the various causes of gum recession and the treatments recommended by dentists in Silver Spring, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series.