Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry

Gum Recession

Gum recession steadily exposes the roots of your teeth, visually creating the perception that makes the teeth look longer than normal. You look older with receded gums, and your teeth become more sensitive to hot and cold. They are also easily subjected to increased harm because the root exterior surfaces are softer than the tooth crown enamel and do not have that protection.

Gum recession is a common and frequent issue and has many sources. Gum recession occurs because of pockets developing around the teeth from gum infection, genetics, or a previous orthodontic treatment. Gum recession increases as infected gum tissue dies. The gum will recede all the way to the root of the tooth if the gum disease is left untreated.

Your compassionate team at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is wholly committed to providing you, your family, and every patient with comprehensive periodontal care that improves your oral health and daily function. We pride ourselves on offering a safe, comfortable, and relaxing environment to ensure all patients receive the personalized care and treatment that is expected and deserved. You will find us to excel in effective communication, both in listening and sharing examination objectives. With our initiative-taking engagement in the dental industry and the constant innovative technological improvements offered, each exam and corresponding treatment is completely personalized. Call Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at 502-570-5700 with any questions or to make an appointment for a gum recession evaluation.

Gum recession occurs over an extended period, such that you might not realize that there is a problem until it has reached an advanced stage. Now the tooth root is exposed and easily vulnerable to infection, decay, and deterioration. Untreated gum disease can lead to jawbone deterioration and is also the primary cause of tooth loss among adults. Untreated gum disease can also result in other health issues, which include diabetes, heart disease, or a stroke.

Some Common Causes of Gum Recession

Common causes of gum recession are:

  • Gum disease, or severe periodontitis- When plaque accumulates on a tooth along the gum line, it immediately causes gum disease to develop. This ailment needs to be treated promptly because it will progress into excessive bleeding and plaque build-up traveling below the gum line. If you have reached this stage, Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry will need to perform a deep cleaning first, then schedule regular checkups. You might need to consider more intensive procedures to address the disease.
  • Misaligned teeth- This issue is the result of uneven alignment of teeth from an incorrect bite. If you are suffering from malocclusion, you may notice excessive wear, tear, and strain on both your teeth and gums. If this is not corrected, your gums will begin to recede. This can also result in bone loss, which leads to tooth loss.
  • Improper earlier dental hygiene- If your brushing and flossing are performed incorrectly or even avoided, a plaque build-up begins to affect your teeth. This plaque contains damaging bacterial toxins, which will promote infection.
  • Overly aggressive brushing or flossing- Overbrushing can be as damaging to your gums as too little brushing. Brushing too aggressively or using a stiff-bristled toothbrush will also lead to gum recession.
  • Tobacco products- Any tobacco use has damaging effects on your entire mouth. Chewing tobacco irritates the gingival lining of the entire mouth and causes gum recession.
  • Genetics- Gum recession can also be the result of your predisposed genetics. You should try to research as soon as you can if this is the issue, so Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry can take the correct preventative measures and discuss available treatments and procedures that can help improve the damage caused by gum recession.

Symptoms that May be Indicative of Gum Recession

Gum recession is an incredibly frequent problem that Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry diagnoses and treats frequently. Here are a few symptoms:

  • Visible roots – A primary characteristic of an advanced case of gum recession.
  • Sensitive teeth – When your gums recede, it exposes the cementum protecting the tooth root, and the dentin tubules beneath the root surface become more susceptible to external stimulus.
  • Longer-looking teeth – If you are experiencing gum recession, you could have a toothy smile. The length of your teeth is normal, but the gum tissue has receded, which makes the teeth appear longer.
  • Halitosis, inflammation, and bleeding – These symptoms are characteristic of gum disease. A bacterial infection causing gum recession will cause tooth loss if not treated promptly.

Treatment of Gum Recession

Each case of gum recession is slightly different, and therefore several treatment options are available at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry. The primary cause of the gum recession must be addressed first.

If aggressive brushing is eroding your gums, a softer toothbrush and a gentler brushing technique will be advised. If poor oral hygiene is the issue, professional dental cleaning by Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry will be performed to rid the gum pockets of bacteria. In the case of severe plaque buildup, we will perform scaling and root planing to remove the source of gingival inflammation.

Once the source of your gum recession has been addressed, we may recommend a treatment of a more cosmetic or restorative nature. Gum tissue regeneration and gum grafting are both popular and successful methods to restore natural symmetry to your gums and make your smile more aesthetically pleasing again.

Your Smile is Our Number One Priority

Our treatment philosophy at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is focused on patient education and the enhancement of your quality of life. We provide gentle, affordable, and painless periodontal care. We prioritize providing each patient with the information they need to make confident, informed decisions regarding their personal oral health treatment. Our experience is foundational in giving you restoratively minded periodontal treatment customized for your unique needs.

Our team specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants. We consider ourselves experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. We have received extensive education and training in these areas. We are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and we are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.

You can find Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at:

107 Frazier Ct., 1D, Georgetown, KY

Or call us today at 502-570-5700