I Think My Gums Are Receding

At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we focus on the health of our patients’ gums just as much as we do their teeth. We understand the critical nature of the gums and the role they play in keeping teeth healthy, strong, and intact. With regular dental care, you can prevent gum disease.

In certain situations, regular dental care is all a patient needs. However, if you do notice that your gums begin to recede, call (305) 614-2438 and schedule an appointment with our Coral Gables, FL dental office. Since gum recession can lead to further health challenges, it is important to address the issue right away.

Why Are My Gums Receding?

Gums recede for many reasons, some of which may have to do with lifestyle. For example, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. However, if you use a hard-bristled toothbrush or brush too aggressively, you can irritate your gums and cause them to recede. To avoid problems, we recommend that you use a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush whenever possible. Be gentle when brushing near your gums, regardless of the toothbrush you are using.

Your gums can also recede due to gum disease. This is the most common reason for the condition. At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we see that gum disease impacts patients of all ages, and when it does, it is critical that you come in for a dental cleaning and treatment. Otherwise, you will begin to see the gums recede or pull away from the teeth. The cause is plaque that becomes trapped between the teeth and gums. Since you cannot clean this area, the plaque remains in place, turns into tartar, and irritates your gums. Your gums will swell, bleed, and eventually recede.

Genetics can also give you receding gums, so if your parents had this problem, you may as well.

If your teeth are crooked and your bite is out of alignment, additional strain could be placed on some of your teeth. As a result of abnormal wear patterns, your gums could begin to suffer and eventually recede.

Why are my gums receding on one side only?

If your gums are only receding on one side, it could be simply because plaque has built up in that area of the mouth. Plaque does not discriminate, but there is a chance you could have brushed or flossed better on one side of your mouth, or it could be a simple fluke that plaque became trapped in one area but not the other. Another plausible solution is that this mirrors general wear patterns. If your teeth are crooked and your bite is off, your gum health will also be impacted disproportionately.

Why are my gums receding on one tooth only?

While this could be related to the other causes listed above, it is most likely due to some type of dental trauma. Perhaps this particular area of the mouth was cut or suffered a severe abrasion. Whether the injury was caused by eating something sharp, your nail scratched it, or an outside force cut you, gums can sometimes have difficulty healing and may recede as a result of that injury.

Should I worry about receding gums?

Yes, you should. At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we encourage our patients to pay attention to their gum health. We encourage them to call us right away if they see their gums bleeding, swelling, or receding. We want to examine the patient as soon as possible to determine if gum disease is present and treat it.

You should receive immediate care so we can treat the problem using less-invasive methods. For example, you may only need a deep cleaning if you come in right away, or perhaps you will need an antibiotic treatment as well, but by coming in early, you are giving your gums the best chance to heal without needing a gum graft. Otherwise, if you delay, your gums could recede to the point that the health of your teeth, your jawbone, and your entire smile are at risk. The majority of people who lose an adult tooth also had gum disease at the time. Preventing and treating it is truly one of the best things you can do for your oral health.

How do you prevent gum recession?

The best way to prevent gum recession is to maintain good oral hygiene at home and visit Gables Exceptional Dentistry for a teeth cleaning twice per year. We can remove the plaque and tartar that have built up over time to give your teeth a fresh, clean feel. Additionally, you can use a soft toothbrush and brush your teeth gently.

Is there a way to treat the condition?

Yes, if you are dealing with gum recession due to gum disease, we need to eliminate the infection. Generally, this means performing a deep cleaning procedure to remove the plaque and tartar from the area between the teeth and gums. Once done, your gums can begin to heal and rejuvenate. There are also laser procedures we can use to stimulate the gum tissue so it can begin to grow again. Otherwise, if the gum recession is severe, you will need a gum graft to restore the tissue around the teeth as a protective measure.

What are the risks of not treating gum recession?

If your gums are receding and you do not get treatment, you could lose your teeth. Gum recession is typically caused by gum disease. The idea of not treating it is risky because it means that, in addition to experiencing painful teeth and gums, you are also likely to lose teeth and bone.

To learn more about gum recession and how to treat it, call our dental office at (305) 614-2438.

Gum Disease Terminology

Chronic Periodontitis

The most common form of periodontitis, which involves inflammation of the tissue surrounding the teeth and pockets forming as well.

Necrotizing Periodontal Disease

An infection that causes lesions to form on the face and other symptoms due to the necrosis (death) of gingival tissues, periodontal ligaments, and alveolar bone.

Periapical Cyst

A pathological cavity that typically has epithelium in the lining and contains fluid or soft matter.

Periodontal Disease

A serious inflammation of the gingival tissues and the periodontal membrane of the teeth that causes pain and helps form a deeper gingival sulcus.

Periodontal Ligament

A group of tissue fibers that help attach the tooth to the alveolar bone, which can sustain damage from gum disease or improper oral hygiene.

Periodontal Pocket

A potential area of space, known as a gingival sulcus, which is deeper than normal and can contain bacteria that cause an infection.

Periodontal Surgery

The treatment of extreme levels of periodontal disease, which can involve multiple techniques to remove the inflamed tissue and infection before it spreads.

Scaling and Root Planing

A non-surgical therapy that involves the removal of dental plaque in hard-to-reach places.