One of the most common questions asked to dental professionals is: “what are receding gums?”. In simple terms, receding gums are a result of gum disease — causing your gums to have a “receding” appearance.

What causes receding gums?

Typically, gum disease plays the largest role in causing receding gums. In simple terms, bacteria that enters the oral cavity as a result of gum disease starts to form plaque. Plaque accumulation can cause inflammation of the gums and this inflammation results in erosion of gum tissue – giving your gums a recessed appearance.

How to prevent receding gums?

Luckily, gum disease is very easy to diagnose. If you have noticed a receding of the gum line, then you should make an appointment at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry, your Coquitlam sedation dentist, to confirm the diagnosis and start proper treatment. Sensitive teeth, especially increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods, are another symptom of gum recession – the sensitive roots of the teeth become exposed and that’s why you might feel pain.

Gum recession can be a slow progression, but the end result can be quite serious and drastic. In the initial stage, the gums are pink and appear scalloped around the teeth. Afterwards, the gums turn a bright pink or red, soften and begin to bleed. You can actually see the gums receding away from the teeth as days go by. The teeth also loosen and liquid begins to collect in the space between gums and teeth. The final stage of receding gums is when the roots become visible along with increased pus formation. This is extremely painful and causes severe bleeding along with tooth sensitivity.

Is there treatment for receding gums?

Don’t delay and book an appointment with a health care professional at your Coquitlam sedation dentist, Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry, for proper diagnosis and treatment. There is no one product or medication that offers a cure for receding gums. The treatment usually focuses on gum disease – treating gum disease will usually also treat receding gums. However, you might require gingival flap surgery, tissue graft, bone graft and cosmetic dentistry to save your teeth as well as to restore the appearance of your gums and teeth.

The best treatment for receding gums is to understand the importance of a good and healthy oral routine to prevent and curb gum recession. Most often, there is no special treatment undertaken if the gums have begun to recede. Practice a good oral regimen to control the condition followed by periodic visits to the clinic to ensure that the recession has not progressed and that your gum disease is under control.

Receding gums can turn out to be a major problem if not treated immediately, so contact Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry, your Coquitlam Sedation dentist, for an appointment today and we will help you keep your smile beautiful and healthy.

Many dental patients in Coquitlam believe they have perfect oral health. However, at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry, we see many patients who are suffering from gingivitis and gum disease without even realizing it. Puffy, red gums that bleed could mean you have gingivitis. If you ignore these symptoms — and many patients do as the swelling, redness and bleeding aren’t typically painful — you may be on your way to early stage periodontal (gum) disease. But, it’s also possible to prevent the disease from occurring by reducing plaque build-up. Daily flossing and brushing, as well as regular dental hygienist cleanings, can keep plaque away.  Regular dental checkups at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry are crucial in gum disease prevention since any early signs of decay can be caught.

Some of our Coquitlam patients are surprised when their previously healthy, pink gums start to turn red and begin to bleed, but an individual’s oral health can change at any time. This is why gum disease prevention must be an ongoing effort on your part.  Without daily flossing and brushing, plus regular checkups and cleanings at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry, you’re likely to be at risk for  periodontal disease. Make sure you brush at least twice a day, as well as floss daily, to avoid plaque build-up. Plaque, a film containing bacteria and acids, ruins tooth enamel as well as causes periodontal disease. Food particles can become trapped in plaque and further the progress of the disease, so it’s important to get regular hygienist cleanings plus gum disease prevention support from your dentist, who may recommend fluoride or other decay-preventive solutions.

Getting tips and checkups at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry is an easy way to prevent gum disease and avoid destroying the structure of your teeth. Without regular professional care, moderate and late stages of gum disease may occur. If the gums aren’t healthy, they can’t adequately support the teeth. In the moderate stage of periodontal disease, gums tend to recede and expose large portions of the upper teeth–negatively affecting the tooth structure. Teeth often become loose at this stage. You’ll need to see your oral health expert to help avoid the advanced stage of gum disease. This stage of periodontal disease is the main cause of adult tooth loss and pain is typically present due to infection being built up deeply within the gums. 

Don’t put off the state of your oral health! Contact the team at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry to book an appointment for personalized gum disease prevention and treatment.

Here’s a great video about what you can do to prevent gum disease and keep your smile healthy!