What Causes Receding Gums?

Receding gums can be a surprising change to your smile. After all, it can be a little strange that your teeth are suddenly longer, or that there are gaps or “black triangles” between them along the gumline. But what causes this condition, and is there anything you can do to reverse it? Here’s a closer look at gum recession, and how your dentist can help bring back your periodontal tissue and restore your healthy, beautiful smile!

What Causes Receding Gums?

There are several things that can cause receding gums, including genetics, aggressive tooth brushing, hormonal changes, and periodontal disease. It happens when the margins of your gum tissue pull back or wear away, exposing more of the teeth or their roots, creating pockets between them and your gums. While this may seem like just a cosmetic problem, it can be extremely dangerous because these openings are ideal entryways for disease-causing bacteria to accumulate and can even lead to tooth loss.

How Can My Dentist Treat Receding Gums?

In some cases, milder gum recession may be able to be addressed by a deep cleaning procedure from your dentist known as scaling and root planing. This treatment goes below the gumline to remove deposits of plaque and then planes the roots of the teeth so the gums can reattach and regrow.

If your gum recession is too severe, you may require a more intensive treatment such as soft tissue laser therapy, which removes the damaged tissue so that healthy new tissue can regenerate and protect your teeth from harmful oral bacteria.

Remember, receding gums can cause minor yet surprising changes to your smile, but don’t take them lightly. If you notice any differences, however small, speak to your dentist today about gum disease treatment and protect your smile from further damage so it lasts a lifetime!

About Our Practice

At Advanced Dental Care of Springfield, we want to help give you back your healthy, beautiful smile. If you notice small changes like bleeding gums, inflammation, or gum recession, it’s time to take a closer look at your oral health. Schedule a consultation for gum disease treatment today by visiting our website or calling 217-546-3333.