Suffering from Gum Recession: How an El Dorado Hills Dentist Can Help You

Gum recession is characterized by the pulling away of the gums from the teeth. In serious cases, the roots of your teeth can be exposed because of gum recession, causing painful sensitivity. Gum recession can occur because of different causes, and an El Dorado Hills dentist can treat it effectively. If you have receding gums, you may wonder if your gums can grow back. Learn the answers you need below:

Is it Possible for Receding Gums to Grow Back?

Receding gums don’t heal by themselves. When you’ve lost gum tissue, it is gone for good. But you can still save your smile. Your dentist can employ treatment to stop gum recession and replace lost gum tissue. However, before your receding gums can be fixed, your dentist will have to determine what’s causing it. It is important to treat the root cause of the issue first to ensure effective gum recession treatment. Typically, fixing gum recession involves improving your oral health habits, scaling and root planing, and gum graft surgery. 

Causes of Gum Recession

Gum recession can occur due to the following:

• Gum disease. Gum recession commonly results from gum disease. It is accompanied by gum bleeding, swelling, tenderness, and pockets. If periodontitis is to blame for your gum recession, you must seek treatment right away to prevent more serious complications and tooth loss. 
• Smoking. Tobacco use increases your risk of developing gum disease, which causes your gums to recede. Smoking slows the natural healing process of the body, making it hard to treat gum disease and gum recession with surgery. 
• Teeth grinding. Teeth grinding can happen when you are stressed or tense. It puts strains on your gum tissue, causing gum recession. Your dentist may recommend that you wear a mouthguard when you sleep. Also, they may suggest stress reduction techniques, so you can prevent teeth grinding and its negative impacts on your oral health. 
• Brushing too hard. Gum recession can happen when you brush your teeth too hard, particularly if you use a toothbrush with medium or hard bristles. Brushing too hard will wear down the enamel of your teeth and irritate your gums. 
• Mouth injury. Gum tissue injuries because of a sports accident or chewing on a sharp object leads to gum recession. So, if you are active in sports, make sure to wear a mouthguard to protect your gums and teeth. Also, do not chew on hard objects such as ice or pens, nor use your teeth for opening packages. You can avoid gum recession when you avoid bad habits that can harm your teeth and gums.