Your teeth play an important role in your overall health. Teeth are how you chew food, turning food into digestible nutrients for your body. As such, teeth should be taken care of so that they function properly, and one of the first steps in caring for teeth is caring for your gums.
The gums are what hold teeth in place and allow them to complete their function. If gums deteriorate, then teeth become wobbly and more susceptible to bacteria and diseases.
Some of the most common mouth and dental issues result from gum decay or deterioration.
So, how can you anticipate gum deterioration? What are the causes of gum recession, and how can you fix it? Well, gum deterioration can result from genetics, overbrushing, teeth grinding, or other factors. In this blog post, we will go over the causes of receding gums as well as what you can do to reverse the effects.
Causes of Deteriorating Gums
Genetics
Unfortunately for some individuals, gum recession is linked to genetics. It sometimes just follows from grandparent to parent and parent to child, regardless of how much you brush or try to take care of them. This is not something you can help, but instead happens to you.
Overbrushing
It makes sense that the harder you brush, the cleaner both your teeth and gums will be. However, similar to water running over a riverbed or constant windy weather, erosion does happen. By brushing your teeth aggressively or excessively, you are subjecting your gums to erosion.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding is often an unconscious phenomenon, occurring when you are sleeping or when you are stressed. While it is an unconscious effort, it can damage both your teeth and your gums. As the teeth are constantly being pulled and pushed in different directions, it can cause your gums to begin to pull away from the teeth.
Braces and Other Teeth Gear
While braces and other gear are used to strengthen and straighten your teeth, they also operate in a similar fashion to teeth grinding when it comes to the gums. They pull the teeth in certain directions which can cause gaps to form between the gums and the teeth.
Injury and Disease
Injuries such as falling on your face and damaging your mouth or various gum diseases can also cause gum recession or deterioration. Essentially, the mouth is damaged in such a way that the teeth are separated from the gums or the gums stop developing in cohesion with the teeth.
How to Fix Gum Recession
Gum recession is a prominent cause in a lot of mouth and dental issues, and unfortunately, they do not grow back on their own. Luckily, there are things you can do to fix the issue and regain healthy teeth and gums. Below are some of the solutions to gum recession.
Gum Recession Surgery
Gum recession surgery (GSM) uses gum grafts, either taken from the roof of your mouth or from that of a donor, to replace the missing gum from your mouth. Typically, this involves sutures and a one- to two-week recovery.
Pinhole Surgical Technique
This surgical technique involves injecting small holes in the gums with collagen material to stabilize them. It is minimally invasive and only has a 24-24 hour recovery time. It is also suture free and has an accelerated recovery time than GSM.
The Run Down on Rebuilding Your Gums
Essentially, both your teeth and gums are essential to overall mouth health. To ensure the health of your mouth, you must also ensure the health of your gums. If you suspect that your gums are causing the issues with your teeth, speak with a dentist and talk about your options.
Our dental office in Commerce Twp offers the most advanced dental treatments including gum rejuvenation. Pinhole Surgical Technique is a safe and effective way to expand the gumline and provides a better patient experience. There is less discomfort, does not require sutures, yields natural looking, long-lasting results.
Our dental services span from general dentistry to cosmetic dentistry including veneers to restorative dentistry such as dental implants and dentures. Our comprehensive dental care targets the needs of the entire family as we strive for each patient to love their smile and help them keep it for life. If you are looking for optimal dental care, call and schedule a Free dental consultation today!