Have you been noticing that your teeth are sensitive and starting to look longer or even farther apart than you remember?
If so, your gums might be receding. There are many reasons this might happen. We have a few recommendations from preventing the condition in the first place to ways to fix receding gums once it has occurred.
Stop Gum Recession Before It Starts
The first thing to know is that even if your gums have started to recede, there are some things you can do to slow or stop the process. As with so many things, the first and foremost preventative measure is good oral hygiene including regular brushing and flossing.
There’s a caveat in this case though. You actually can over brush! Many people feel that vigorous brushing is more thorough, but in fact, we recommend gentle brushing, applying even pressure with a soft-bristle toothbrush for two full minutes. If you’re starting to see gaps between your teeth and gums or other signs mentioned above, easing up might be a good starting point to fix receding gums.
It’s also a good idea to check with your dentist about underlying issues that could be contributing to your receding gums, including plaque build-up, gingivitis (inflammation), and periodontitis. If you’re sticking with your regular semi-annual cleaning schedule, your dentist will be able to catch these problems early and advise you on care and treatment.
Ways to Fix Receding Gums Once Advanced
If you feel like you’re past the point of stopping gum recession in its tracks, there are procedures you can research with the help of your dentist.
Composites, Resins and Veneers
Dentists have some solutions that can help with the appearance and health of your gums. These include composite resin or porcelain fillers to close gaps and/or cover exposed roots. Removable acrylic or silicone veneers can also be an option to close the gaps and improve the appearance of gums that have receded.
Orthodontics
There are orthodontic treatments that can help correct some issues related to receding gums like low gum to teeth margin. That works by repositioning the teeth slowly to improve the margin and make cleaning more effective.
Oral Surgery
In the most severe cases, surgery may be a consideration. This would involve tissue grafting. We would much rather see our patients resolve the issue non surgically.
Evaluating Your Gums and Fixing Receding Gums
No matter what stage you feel you are in with receding gums, the best place to start is with a visit to our office. We’ll help you determine what’s behind the issue, whether there’s time to stop it from getting worse, and what to do to avoid or fix receding gums.
To schedule an appointment, fill out this form, or call our office at 815-886-0875.