İçerik Haritası
What Is Gum Recession?
Gum recession is the process where the gum tissue (gingiva) pulls away from the roots of the teeth. Gum recession can expose sensitive areas of the teeth and lead to thinning of the gum tissue. This condition can make teeth appear longer and cause irregularities in the gumline.
Causes of Gum Recession:
Some reasons and risk factors for gum recession include:
- Periodontal disease: The most common cause of gum recession is periodontal diseases. Infections like gingivitis (gum inflammation) and periodontitis (gum disease) can damage the gum tissue and lead to recession.
- Overbrushing: Incorrect or overly vigorous tooth brushing can damage the gum tissue and cause it to recede. Brushing your teeth is important, but using a technique that’s too harsh can harm the gums.
- Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism): Habitual teeth clenching or grinding can subject the gums to excessive pressure, eventually leading to recession.
- Genetic factors: Some individuals may have genetically thinner or more delicate gum tissue, which can increase the risk of gum recession.
- Smoking: Smoking negatively affects gum health and increases the risk of gum recession.
Why Should Gum Recession Be Treated?
Gum recession is a condition that should be treated because in advanced cases, it can expose tooth roots, increase tooth sensitivity, and raise the risk of tooth loss. Treatment options for gum recession may include:
- Professional cleaning: A dentist or dental hygienist aims to prevent or halt gum recession by professionally cleaning the gums and tooth surfaces.
- Gingival graft surgery: Gum tissue can be reconstructed in areas where it has been lost using allografts (tissue from another person) or grafts from your own tissue.
- Periodontal surgery: In advanced cases, periodontal surgery may be necessary to treat gum recession.