Stop Receding Gums from Getting Worse
As adults age, experiencing receding gums becomes increasingly common. While the symptoms may start mild and not be noticeable, it’s important to identify the common dental condition early and address it as soon as possible. Below is more information on the causes of receding gums and what you can do to stop receding gums from getting worse.
Common Symptoms of Receding Gums
Receding gums is a dental condition where the gums pull back from the surface of teeth, creating the opportunity for bacteria and plaque to build up in the pocket that is created. One of the challenges to identifying receding gums is that it happens slowly over time, and often is not noticeable until the damage has become significant. One of the things you can do to stop receding gums from getting worse is to look for the common symptoms, including:
- Bleeding after brushing or flossing
- Red, swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Pain or sensitivity at the gumline
The last and most significant symptom is when the teeth become loose, and the gums can no longer hold them in place.
How To Stop Receding Gums
The first step to addressing receding gums is to schedule a visit to see your dentist before the gums continue to get worse. Your dentist will start by conducting a comprehensive exam, looking for ‘gum pockets’ and assessing their severity in a process called probing, where a measurement of the pocket is taken. Pockets deeper than 3 millimeters are a sign of gum disease. Mild receding cases can be treated with a deep cleaning procedure called a tooth scaling and root planing. During this procedure, sticky bacteria-filled plaque and tartar are removed from below and along the gumline. This will allow the gums to heal. If the receding is more advanced, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist, or a gum specialist, to try more aggressive treatment options.
Complications of Receding Gums
It is estimated that receding gums and advanced gum disease are responsible for approximately 70 percent of adult tooth loss. If the gum tissue becomes so damaged that it can no longer hold tooth roots in place, the teeth may eventually fall out. Often, dental providers will remove a tooth or multiple teeth before they fall out on their own. To avoid teeth falling out, your provider may refer you to an oral surgeon to intervene and attempt surgical treatment to prevent further damage.
It is possible to treat receding gums and stop them from getting worse if you identify the condition early. In addition to maintaining the health of your teeth, regular routine dental visits every 6 months play an important role in helping maintain your gum tissue. At your regular visits, the professional dental cleaning provided by a dental hygienist is one of the best methods to keep your gums and teeth healthy and to prevent receding gums. If it has been a while since your last visit, you should schedule a visit today to have your gums examined and to potentially catch receding gums before they start.
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