The Truth About How You May Be Causing Your Gum Recession

If you’ve noticed that your teeth somehow look longer or your gum line has become uneven, you may be suffering from a common problem called gum recession, or gingival recession. The gums, also known as gingival tissue, are supposed to firmly surround the lower portion of the teeth to protect the sensitive roots and jaw bone. This vital tissue can weaken and pull away from the teeth, creating a serious risk of anything from tooth sensitivity to tooth loss. Unfortunately, the majority of people with recessed gums have actually contributed to the condition unknowingly, whether through poor oral hygiene or other unhealthy habits.

If you notice even minor recession, it is important to consult with a skilled periodontal specialist, such as Dr. Alexandre-Amir Aalam or Dr. Alina Krivitsky in Brentwood. With expert gum recession treatment, gum regrowth is possible. To learn more, contact the CENTER for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy to schedule a consultation. It’s never too late to reverse the damage of gum recession.

What Causes Gum Tissue Loss?

Gingival tissue can wear away from the teeth and even begin to shrink due to a wide range of factors. In some cases, a person may simply inherit thin gums that are more susceptible to wear and tear. Similarly, misaligned or poorly positioned teeth can be more vulnerable to gum recession if there is not enough tissue protecting and surrounding the teeth. It may not be possible to prevent these genetic factors, but with extra care and diligence, you may avoid suffering from receding gums.

However, the most common causes of gum recession have less to do with genetics and more to do with poor habits and negligent dental hygiene, including:

Excessive or Aggressive Brushing

It’s crucial for overall oral and dental health that you brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Overdoing it, however, can lead to gum recession. Using a toothbrush with hard bristles or accidentally cutting the gums while flossing can wear away at the gum tissue over time, making them vulnerable to harmful bacteria and even creating pockets between the tooth and gums where bacteria can thrive.

Smoking or Chewing Tobacco

Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco can cause significant damage to the gums, let alone overall oral and physical health. Tobacco is one of the biggest risks for developing gum disease, which is a bacterial infection that destroys both gum and bone tissue over time. Smoking also interferes with the body’s ability to fight infections and regenerate tissue.

Bruxism

Grinding and clenching the teeth puts excessive pressure on the gums, potentially causing the teeth to loosen and creating pockets around the edges of the teeth for bacteria to hide in. While bruxism or tooth grinding often occurs while a person is sleeping, noticing the telltale signs and getting treatment can help protect your teeth and overall health. Signs include a tender jaw or a chronic headache.

Poor Oral Hygiene

The most likely cause of gum loss is poor oral hygiene. Forgetting to brush your teeth twice a day, never flossing, and skipping dentist appointments allow harmful bacteria to cause inflammation of the gums, also known as gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can get progressively worse, which results in significant destruction of gum tissue and bone, particularly as the gingival tissue wears away enough to expose the tooth roots. Read more about periodontitis at WebMD.com.

Other Habits

Biting your nails, chewing on pens, or holding objects between your teeth, often as an absent-minded habit, can have a similar effect as bruxism. Fingernails or plastic pens can scrape the gums and frequently applying pressure to solid objects can loosen the teeth and result in gum recession. Undergoing expert gum recession treatment sooner rather than later can help prevent the issue from becoming serious.

Stop Gum Loss with RejuvaGum Lift

When diagnosed early enough, it is possible to reverse gum loss with thorough, consistent dental hygiene. As long as the bacteria and plaque build-up is removed, the inflammation can go down, allowing the tissue to heal. However, for more severe cases, the gums may have receded so far down to the roots that more advanced treatment is necessary.

At the CENTER for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy, our revolutionary RejuvaGum Lift can effectively restore lost gingival tissue using the regenerative medicine. The treatment simply involves taking a sample of the patient’s blood and separating the platelets, white blood cells, and plasma in a centrifuge. The process takes only minutes and creates a platelet-rich fibrin that is saturated with the body’s natural building blocks for truly effective gum recession treatment. When surgically placed along the gum line, the tissue gets the jump-start it needs to rebuild lost tissue in just a few months! While this treatment is not a cure to gum disease itself, its restoration of the gum line can prevent the potentially severe repercussions of gum loss.

Schedule a Consultation Today!

If you are suffering from gum recession, do not wait to schedule a thorough screening and RejuvaGum Lift consultation at the CENTER for Advanced Periodontal and Implant Therapy in LA. Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky have extensive training and experience helping patients achieve stronger, healthier gums. Call (310) 826-8242 today!

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