All About Gum Recession: Common Causes and Treatment Options

“Recession” isn’t just an economic term. Gum recession is a dental problem that’s crucial to understand.

 At American Dental Clinic in San Diego, California, we’ve helped many patients deal with this issue and improve their oral health in the process. 

Here’s what you need to know about the common causes and treatment options for gum recession.

What are receding gums?

Gum recession is a form of gum disease. It occurs when gum tissue pulls away from your teeth, exposing the roots. The problem starts with plaque building up on your teeth and gums; if the plaque accumulates, it can damage your gums, causing them to separate from your teeth. 

This recession creates pockets where bacteria can gather, leading to further infection and decay.

Risk factors that make you more likely to experience receding gums include:

• Periodontal disease (and/or a family history of gum disease)
• A history of using tobacco
• Having a tongue or lip piercing
• Having had braces or other orthodontic treatment
• Hormonal changes in women

Gum recession can also result if you’re overly aggressive when you brush, which can wear away the enamel on your teeth.

Symptoms of receding gums include tooth root exposure, pain and discomfort at the gum line, sensitivity to hot and cold, swollen or red gums, and loose teeth.

Gum recession treatments

At American Dental Clinic, treatment for your receding gums depends on the severity of the problem. If you don’t get any treatment, you may lose teeth because eventually you won’t have enough gum tissue to hold them in place.

If your gum recession is minor, a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) should be sufficient to remove the plaque and tartar below the gum line and keep the problem from getting worse. 

Antibiotics can also help prevent infection from spreading any further. In some cases, we use dental bonding to camouflage the problem.

For more severe gum recession, oral surgery may be necessary. With flap surgery (or pocket reduction surgery), Dr. Emmanuel Aguilar pulls back your gums, deep cleans your teeth, removes any damaged tissue, and replaces your gums snugly around your teeth.

Another surgery option is soft tissue grafting. Dr. Aguilar replaces the receding gum tissue with soft tissue (usually from the roof of your mouth) to help reinforce your gums and stabilize your teeth. If your jawbone is damaged, you might also need bone grafting.

If you’re concerned that your gums are receding, our team at American Dental Clinic can help. Call our San Diego office today to schedule an appointment or book your visit online.